I announced on Tuesday that National will put more resources into helping those at risk of long-term welfare dependency find work and improve their lives. We'll also take a stronger, more proactive stance against those who abuse and defraud the social welfare system.
BETTER, SOONER, MORE CONVENIENT HEALTHCARE
Yesterday I announced the second stage of National's health policy. It's part of our plan to get better results from the public services New Zealand families rely on. Below I've outlined some of our next steps.
We'll make sure that by the end of 2014, 95 per cent of eight-month-olds are fully immunised with three scheduled vaccinations. We'll also roll out a $12 million nation-wide rheumatic fever programme, which will target communities vulnerable to the disease.
National will tighten up on those New Zealanders who abuse the social welfare system at the expense of hard-working taxpayers, Prime Minister and National Party Leader John Key announced today.
“Our welfare system is one of the best in the world and, under National, that safety net will always be there to help New Zealanders in need. For most people, this is a temporary support while they get back on their feet,” says Mr Key.
“National has already committed to helping the majority of people within the welfare system to become work-ready. However, there is a small number who see welfare as a free ride on the taxpayer, and there are those who are facing a future of life-time welfare dependency.
As you know, the Government has had a very strong focus on welfare over the last three years.
We introduced a number of changes to benefits in 2010 which are already having positive effects, and in August we announced a new approach to welfare as it affects teenagers.
What we are announcing today is a much bigger step forward – a comprehensive reform of the benefit system, building off the recommendations of the Welfare Working Group.
It is not the last of our announcements on welfare, and you should expect to see more in the future and into next year.
National will insulate every State house built before 1978, by the end of 2013. This comes on top of our Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart scheme, which has already seen more than 133,000 privately-owned homes retrofitted with insulation or clean heating.
Our housing policy makes sure thousands of families will live in warmer, drier, and healthier homes.
CREATING MORE REAL JOBS
We're helping businesses grow and create jobs through our commerce policy.
Our next steps include further reforming securities law to improve investor confidence, criminalising anti-competitive behaviour, targeting loan sharks, and protecting unwary consumers.
In my speech, I announced the first of National's changes to reduce long-term benefit dependency. Our first step is focused on young people. Following this, you can expect to see several other changes as we work through the Welfare Working Group's recommendations.
I believe very strongly in the welfare state. When I was growing up, my mother was on the Widow's Benefit for a time and we lived in a state house. I'm really grateful for the opportunities the welfare state gave me.
But as a country, we need to have a hard look at where the welfare system has got to. I don't think our welfare system today is what its architects had in mind.
That's why National has a new approach to reduce long-term benefit dependency. The changes I announced today are in two parts. I've explained them below.
NATIONAL'S WELFARE CHANGES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
First, we're changing the way we support all 16- and 17-year-olds who are not in education, training or work - regardless of whether they're receiving a benefit.
We're making changes to find out who these young people are, because too many of them are on a collision course with the benefit system.
Schools will be required to tell us when 16- and 17-year-olds leave during the year. That means we'll actually know who the at-risk young people in our communities are.
We'll then fund organisations such as NGOs and private providers to support and mentor these kids. We're also boosting the number of places in training programmes such as the Youth Guarantee and Trades Academies.
Second, we're taking a more hands-on approach to young people on benefits, with the exception of those on the Invalid's Benefit.
We're going to provide comprehensive and concentrated support for these vulnerable teens. This includes helping them manage their money within their budget.
We're also going to make sure they meet their obligations, which includes getting into education, training or work. They must also attend programmes if required, such as budgeting or parenting programmes.
Click here to read a one-page summary of our changes for young people.
John Key's Key Notes, 3 June 2011
IMPROVING OUR WELFARE SYSTEM
This week I announced a ministerial group to lead work on improving New Zealand's welfare system.
I want this country to have a welfare system that encourages personal responsibility, helps people into paid jobs, and protects our most vulnerable.
The independent Welfare Working Group's recent report shows our welfare system isn't working as well as it could.
We have to do better for hardworking taxpayers, for beneficiaries who are falling far short of their potential, and for children growing up in welfare-dependent households.
Long-term welfare dependency robs people of confidence, motivation and aspiration. Ultimately it can rob their children of these things, too.
This Government is not prepared to leave this large group of New Zealanders behind. I'm ambitious for what we can achieve in this area, and I look forward to announcing our welfare reform policies before the election.
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says the number of people on benefits remains high, though thousands still find work every month. Read full release >>
Community organisations have received more than $7 million from the Government in the seventh round of the Community Response Fund. Read full release >>
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says Work and Income’s youth focused seminars are getting results, but non-attendance is a real issue. Read full release >>
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has asked Child Youth and Family to strengthen processes to respond better to school reports of abuse. Read full release >>
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett welcomes the Child Matters and Child Youth and Family partnership teaching professionals about child abuse. Read full release >>
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says the number of people on the Unemployment Benefit dropped last month, particularly among youth. Read full release >>
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says the Government’s high priority on young people continues through the Job Ops with Training and Skills for Growth programmes. Read full release >>
The Minister of Social Development officially opened the first Supported Teen Parent Home in Gisborne today, the last of seven to open around the country. Read full release >>
Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment Tariana Turia has announced new resource materials to raise awareness about and address family violence been developed for Maori and Pasefika communities. Read full release >>
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett joined Police, District Health Board and Ministry of Social Development representatives to sign a new agreement to strengthen child protection Read full release >>
As part of a commitment to reducing long-term benefit dependency, the Government is working through the Welfare Working Group recommendations made earlier this year. Read full release >>
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is delighted to announce three New Zealanders who will facilitate debate on the Green Paper on Children. Read full release >>
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says the Government has maintained a high priority on young people with a particular focus on employment. Read full release >>
