Increase In Child Poverty Statistics Appalling

Grey Power are appalled by the Press announcement that there are now almost 34,000 more children dependent on beneficiary parents than in 2008, This 17% rise is an indicator of a significant increase in child poverty in New Zealand.

“There is a virulent dry rot in the foundations of our society” said Mr Roy Reid, Grey Power Federation President, “that must be cut out”

“That there are now 34,000 more young people facing a difficult start to life does not auger well for the future. Many pensioners share the tight financial situation beneficiary families face and can fully appreciate the pressure on family life, and the lack of opportunity of parents to do the best for their children when money is short and the cost of living is constantly rising.”

Many older people are grandparents who are directly affected as they are more and more asked to help with difficult family situations. With the natural bond between older people and children and it saddens them all to see so many young people lacking the chance they all deserve for a good start to the lives.

It is also disturbing to learn that people on sickness and invalid benefits had risen by 11% since 2008, with people on a benefit for more than 4 years had risen by 6.5%.

It is a key Grey Power Election strategy to press Government to adopt relevant economic and social policies to reduce the income gap between the rich and the less well off in New Zealand.

More and more commentators and public figures are calling for a clearer strategic social and economic direction for the country that promises a more even and equal spread of income and opportunity, and Grey Power shares this call for change.

“It is beyond Party politics” said Mr Reid “ and has become a widespread general consensus. If we don’t give our young people in particular a fair go, the future is bleak.”

R Reid

President

Grey Power Federation

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