10. STUART NASH (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Finance
How many more families report their income is “not enough” to meet everyday needs since the Government took office, according to the Household Economic Survey (Income) comparing the 2008 survey to the latest survey?
Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance) Link to this
First of all, I am advised that comparing this measure across different surveys is not advisable, given that it is a subjective, self-reported measure that is very dependent on day-to-day events. I am also advised by Statistics New Zealand that the 2008 data was later revised, so I can give the member the revised data. In the 2008 household expenditure survey, 18.6 percent of households, or 295,000, reported their income was “not enough” to meet everyday needs. In the latest survey, for 2010, 18.5 percent of households—roughly 295,000—reported that their income was “not enough” to meet everyday needs. So no change.
Can he confirm Australian Bureau of Statistics and Statistics New Zealand data that show that the GDP per capita gap between Australia and New Zealand has widened by 2.6 percent since his Government took office?
I cannot confirm that, but I can confirm the data I think quoted yesterday, which is that since this Government has been in office all of the drop in per capita GDP occurred before the middle of 2009. In fact, per capita GDP started shrinking in 2008, under the previous Government. There was a big drop in 2008-09. Since then it has levelled out, and now it is likely to rise.
Mr SPEAKERIt is a document prepared by the Parliamentary Library, and it shows that the GDP per capita gap has widened by 2.6 percent under this Government.
Is he aware that the real average wage has fallen by 3.2 percent since his Government came into office, according to the labour cost index?
Just for the member’s assistance, the labour cost index is actually a measure of wage inflation—that is, how much is paid for the same work. It is not a measure of the wages actually paid. Secondly, in respect of real wages, after-tax real wages have risen. I know that sticks in the member’s craw, but actually, despite a recession, in New Zealand after-tax real wages have gone up.
—sorry, Mr Speaker—prepared by the Parliamentary Library showing that real wages have actually fallen by 3.2 percent since National came into office.
Can he confirm that according to the household labour force survey, 49,000 more New Zealanders are unemployed since his Government came to power?
No, I cannot confirm that number, but I can confirm that the Government is working very hard to get on top of the unusual situation where, under his Government, despite there being a long phase of global growth, the number of New Zealanders on benefits rose significantly. We are taking on the challenge of getting those numbers down despite global growth looking a bit moderate.
I seek leave to table something from the Parliamentary Library giving Statistics New Zealand figures that show that the number of people unemployed has increased by 49,000 since December 2008.