6. CHESTER BORROWS (National—Whanganui) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
What was the number of individuals on the unemployment benefit in May 2011?
Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister for Social Development and Employment) Link to this
The May benefit numbers show that 57,058 people were on an unemployment benefit—a fall of 1,723. Overall, there were 328,043 people on all main benefits in May; main benefit numbers decreased by 2,295. Future Focus changes and increasing business confidence are making a difference. These May figures are encouraging, but are slow and modest as well.
How many more people were on the unemployment benefit in Canterbury in May, compared with the number before the February earthquake?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
Seven hundred and seventeen more people were on that benefit at the end of May, which is a lower figure than the many doom and gloom predictions we heard from the other side of the House. Although we anticipate that this figure may well increase as people return to Canterbury and with the Government’s wage support finishing, the job market does appear to be holding up better than was expected.