Latest benefit stats show Government’s plan is vital for Tukituki

New Jobseeker Support Benefit figures for the East Coast region underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to reduce benefit dependency and rebuild the economy. 

The East Coast region had 6,143 people receiving Jobseeker Support in March 2017, with recent figures showing in March 2024 that number had risen to 8,301.

We are taking action to put a stop to the spike in welfare dependency that occurred under the previous government. We know that work-ready job seekers are forecast to spend an average of 13 years on a benefit, and teenagers could become trapped on welfare for 24 years of their working lives.

We have set a target of 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support by 2030. There is a suite of measures we are taking to achieve this including mandatory reapplication for Jobseeker benefits every six months, new non-financial sanctions, and a traffic light system to help job seekers comply with their work obligations.

I am pleased the coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy to ensure there were more opportunities for Kiwis to work.

This week I visited Building Futures, who are working with MSD to get people into work. It’s unacceptable to see these rising statistics in an area like Hawke’s Bay where businesses have been crying out for labour.

We are a food producing region and our orchards and packhouses have been in desperate need of labour, yet we have seen the jobseeker numbers rise by over 20 percent.

We must work hard to turn these numbers around to ensure we aren’t creating a culture of dependency. A job gives purpose and a pathway to a positive life of independence.