News

Benefit numbers down in Eastern suburbs

Ross Robertson

29.04.2008

Unemployment Benefit numbers for Auckland's Eastern suburbs are at a new low. Manukau East MP Ross Robertson announced local figures today.

There are now 683 local people receiving Unemployment Benefit, down from 1119 in March last year, and dramatically down from 4328 in December 1999.

"Over the last eight years, people across Auckland's Eastern suburbs have been moving from dole payments to paycheques," said Ross Robertson.

"We're following a nationwide trend; recently, the Prime Minister announced that New Zealand's Unemployment Benefit numbers had dropped below the 20,000 mark – the lowest numbers of unemployed people since 1979.

Ross Robertson says Work and Income has a new approach recognising that most people want to work and can with the right support, such as education, training and work preparation. Work and income also helps disabled New Zealanders and those with ill-health to plan for work.

Work and Income's 'Working New Zealand' changes have led directly to reductions in the number of long term and young people unemployed – as well as putting downward pressure on sickness benefit numbers.

"Working for Families is also making it easier for 370,000 households across the country to work and raise a family. So when people with children come off a benefit and into work, they can take advantage of extra incentive to stay working. It's making real inroads into the number of sole parents on the DPB, with 3002 now, compared to 3089 in December 1999."

The statistics for Auckland's Eastern suburbs*:

Benefit Dec 99 Mar 07 Mar 08 Diff 99-08

Unemployment 4328 1119 683 -3645

Domestic Purposes 3089 2987 3002 -87

Sickness 1118 1869 1928 810

Invalid's 1176 1621 1717 541

* Source: Ministry of Social Development. Local statistics to the end of March 2008, reported by MSD's Glen Innes, Highland Park, and Panmure service centres.

OTHER REGIONS +NORTHERN