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Over 1000 went on the dole last month

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Wed, 09 Feb 2011 7:55p.m.

Social Development and Employment Minister Paula Bennett (NZPA file)

Social Development and Employment Minister Paula Bennett (NZPA file)

More than 1000 people went on to the dole last month.

Social Development and Employment Minister Paula Bennett announced today that the number of people on all benefits rose by 0.4 percent to 354,058, with a new 1003 people on the unemployment benefit.

"The numbers may not be as we'd like, but it is an honest picture. What this government will not do, is simply transfer people from benefit to benefit to hide the figures," Ms Bennett said.

"We'd all like to see fewer New Zealanders relying on welfare, that will happen as the economy slowly recovers, but it's a long haul."

Ms Bennett said there were also positive signs in January's figures, including that 3782 unemployment beneficiaries went off welfare into work.

Among those, 1849 were Maori and 354 were Pacific Islanders, she said.

However, Labour MP Jacinda Ardern said the figures were not good enough, and that the Government was making excuses rather than acting to create jobs.

"Unemployed New Zealanders desperately want to work, but after more than two years of a National government, instead of jobs, all they have been offered are excuses and gimmicks," Ms Ardern said.

"It's time the Government got off the sidelines. Active economic management, investment in education, skills and trade training, and a focus on job creation, would make the difference kiwis need - this government just won't deliver it."

NZPA

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Comments

30 Mar 2011 04:39a.m.

Dan wrote:

heres a better solution: raise the requirement level to recieve the dole. You dont get it unless you are:

A)Too sick or metally ill to the point that you physically cant work (this needs to be closely monitored by assessors).

B)A solo parent caring for children up to the age of 5 (by which age said children should be attending school freeing up time for the parent to begin working).

c)A citizen of New Zealand.

25 Feb 2011 10:52a.m.

Richard wrote:

Employment is supposed to be like cogs in an analogue watch. Each one is dependent on the others but when employment becomes "every one for themselves" then the synchronizing goes out, businesses run themselves down, co-operation is lost and eventually it all comes to a halt. Time for very expensive repairs.

15 Feb 2011 01:03p.m.

Ruz wrote:

With an election coming up in November, these figures are bad news for the Government. When you take the unemployment figures plus the rising cost of living into account, there doesn't seem to be any doubt that the popularity of National will take at hit over the next 8 months or so. It may not translate into a change of Government but it will put it on the path to eventual electoral defeat.

14 Feb 2011 11:18p.m.

yara wrote:

more like ten thousand went on the unemployment . its not that welfare is not afordable its that when nationals in office the numbers on these benifits increase out of control.

14 Feb 2011 06:33p.m.

Cringe Paula, cringe. wrote:

Well done Paula Bennet. Here we are on the back end of a recession, with every other govt dept being directed to save money. Why not just take the Community Max money and give the low income earners air tickets to Australia? 2 birds.

12 Feb 2011 12:39p.m.

jan.. wrote:

We are looking forward to LABOUR and disposed off these fake actions from so called Paula Bennett, just look at Bill English and his stressfull marks on his fore-head where Paula got fat that's where our benefit money gone into by the updating of her figure..

12 Feb 2011 12:59a.m.

kelvin wrote:

the minister who brings crockings of doom .tripple the unemployment in just two years well done national an all they can come up with are the policys of maggie thatcher.

10 Feb 2011 02:05p.m.

madness wrote:

I have a great idea, why not take the tax break back off the high income earners and use that to fill alot of the gap. Can't wait till November to get rid of these National Nazi's and get back a real govt with real values. Come on Winston get the ball rolling, I know alot of people voting for you just to P John Keys off and help Labour in!!!

10 Feb 2011 11:35a.m.

Felicia Jollygoodfellow wrote:

Oh that explains why Bennett is trying to kick thousands of genuinely sick people off the Sickness Benefit or prepare them for work-testing. Exactly how much has this government spent on job creation?