April 1 used to be a day when workers and families could count on some much-needed relief, but under this Government it’s another reminder of how much harder things are getting.
“This Government promised cost of living relief, but their choices are leaving New Zealanders worse off,” Labour finance and economy spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said.
“Wages aren’t keeping up with rising costs. Everything from food to power bills, to the price of seeing a doctor – it’s all been getting worse under National, even before the conflict in the Middle East started.
“The relief package that the Government announced last week was a start, but for superannuitants, students, and working people without children, they’ll be wondering why they missed out on real support.
“The Government’s scheduled April 1 changes are just business as usual for the Government. It wasn’t enough even before the crisis in the Middle East, and it’s certainly not enough now as costs increase.
“Petrol has risen by nearly a dollar and diesel by almost two dollars per litre in the last few weeks. For working families, it’s a slap in the face as they have to make tough choices on whether to cut back in their grocery carts or their fuel tanks,” Barbara Edmonds said.
Changes coming into effect on April 1 that will take families backwards include:
The minimum wage falls behind inflation and rising costs – taking families backwards in real terms.
Changes to Best Start mean some families will lose access to payments altogether, with support now cut off based on income.
Electricity lines charges could increase by up to $20 more a month, with no meaningful relief as we head into winter.
“New Zealanders need a government focused on lifting wages, easing cost pressures, and backing people doing it tough, not one that leaves them falling further behind,” Barbara Edmonds said.
