Asenati Lole-Taylor MP

Spokesperson for Social Policy
14 January 2014

Struggling Families Left to Fend For Themselves

Families are feeling the brunt of welfare reforms as parents struggle to provide for their children at the beginning of the school year says New Zealand First spokesperson for social policy Asenati Lole-Taylor.

For a basic summer school uniform without shoes, parents must front up at least $600 before looking into stationery and school fees – meaning a parent must find at least $1200 per child entering high school this year.

“Parents want to provide their children with the best possible start to the year, but they are struggling with the financial hangover from Christmas, the rising cost of living, and a lack of job prospects.

“The National Government are not interested though and have turned a blind eye to those asking for help.

“We are not just talking about those families that are on a benefit who are able to access extra help for school supplies, but those families that are surviving on a minimum income.

“Those families will be struggling more than ever as they recover from the double whammy of Christmas and the school year within a few weeks of each other,” says Mrs Lole-Taylor.

ENDS

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