Unemployment continues to surge under National, with quarterly figures confirming tens of thousands more Kiwis on Jobseeker.

“Today’s benefit figures show the real human cost of National’s economic failures with more than 218,000 now on Jobseeker – about the population size of Wellington City,” Labour’s social development and employment spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime said.

“Christopher Luxon promised to reduce the number of people on Jobseeker by 50,000, instead nearly 30,000 more Kiwis are now relying on it.

“We’ve seen record numbers of Kiwis leaving the country because opportunities have dried up at home and the Government has no plan.

 
“Communities are facing real pain. It was devastating to see the confirmed closure of one of only two mills in Kaitāia yesterday. Before the closure was confirmed, I stood with the Kaitāia community and saw the stress and uncertainty whānau were facing. Now, those fears have become reality.

“New Zealanders need more pathways into secure work, not punishments and empty promises from an out of touch Prime Minister.

“Labour is focused on backing Kiwis into work. By expanding apprenticeship boost, we’re creating more pathways into work and qualifications so Kiwis can earn more,” Willow-Jean Prime said.