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Media Release 17 February 2011

Families have fewer choices than the PM thinks

Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) has challenged the Prime Minister John Key's statement in parliament that people on benefits actually have a lifestyle choice.

In response to a question about the increase in the number of families seeking food parcels to survive, Mr Key said that families were making poor choices, and could get by if they budgeted properly.

"This suggests that beneficiaries in strife are choosing to waste their money on non essentials. But the reality is far from this especially with high housing costs. Thousands of families are trying to give their children the best start in life despite low incomes and meagre benefits but find they just can't make it. Family debt increases and assets are run down in a cycle of despair While these families' financial costs are high, the present and future costs to children's health and wellbeing are costs society must also bear." Said Donna Wynd, spokesperson for CPAG.

The recent increase in milk prices has put a food staple out of the range of families on low incomes. CPAG supports the recent call by the head of Manaia PHO, Chris Farrelly, to see milk as an essential food item for children's health lower the domestic price accordingly.

Labour, the Greens and the Maori Party have all called for government to address child poverty. CPAG says it is time for the government to really address the plight of 'vulnerable 'children and to stop seeing the answer solely in terms of paid work

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