7. CHESTER BORROWS (National—Whanganui) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
What reports has she received on the numbers of young people receiving benefits?
Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
There are many reports. The recession has hit our young people the hardest. They make up around a third of those on the unemployment benefit. However, last month we saw a 6 percent fall in unemployment benefit numbers, with over half of those being young people. This is a small but significant step in the right direction.
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
At this time of the year young people are benefiting from seasonal work opportunities. However, this year young people are picking up longer-term work in some of the hardest-hit areas. For example, in Auckland over 500 young people got into work—over double the number at this time last year. The number is over 200 in Wellington, over 160 in Canterbury, and over 180 in the southern region. In respect of Northland, which is an interesting case, just 17 young people found work in February last year; last month 77 did.
Jacinda ArdernHow many young people have moved off benefits in the last month because they have returned to education, and if the Minister does not have an exact figure, is it more or fewer people than in previous years?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
Of the young people who moved off the unemployment benefit—that is, not the unemployment benefit student hardship—20 percent went into study and 80 percent moved into work.
Hon Sir Roger Douglas Link to this
Can the Minister advise whether she will be supporting my Minimum Wage (Mitigation of Youth Unemployment) Amendment Bill, which would enable young Māori, who are currently suffering almost 40 percent unemployment, to earn, say, $400 a week rather than to receive $160 a week from taxpayers in welfare; or has the Minister joined the unions in arguing for existing members over young workers?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
No, we will not be supporting the bill, as we are not convinced it would reduce youth unemployment, plus it would be a distraction from the really important work of improving productivity and growing the economy in order to create long-term jobs, which will keep young people in New Zealand.