Working for Families package working well in Christchurch

Low and modest income families with children in Christchurch are getting substantial gains under the Working For Families programme, according to Jim Anderton, Progressive Leader and MP for Wigram.

"Figures released today show that 17,184 families and an estimated 33,700 children in the Christchurch area had received increases to family support on the 1st of April 2005. That's very good news for families in our region," Jim Anderton said.

This area includes Christchurch, Rangiora, Shirley, Papanui, Riccarton, New Brighton, Sydenham, Linwood, Stanmore, Hornby and Kaiapoi.

"Working for Families is providing real increases to family incomes. The average nationwide Inland Revenue family assistance payment in April was $113 per week - a 33 per cent or $28 increase on payments being made in April 2004.

"From 1 April next year, low to middle income families will be eligible for the In Work Payment of $60 a week, making work pay by ensuring a job always pays more than a benefit.

“The Labour Progressive Government is committed to ending child poverty. Within two years time, under Working for Families, between 30 to 70 per cent fewer children will be living below the poverty line, depending on which measurement you use.

“These achievements go a long way towards making New Zealand a fairer nation, and that is an achievement of which I am very proud.

“The National Party's commitment to tax cuts would clearly be at the expense of the families who are gaining from Working for Families. Not only could National not afford to continue with Working for Families and deliver a tax cut, it would need to borrow heavily or cut essential social services such as health and education to pay for those tax cuts," Jim Anderton said.

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