The Government’s Budget is failing families in poverty by pulling the rug on young people receiving income support and allowing more children to go without enough food on the table.

“This ‘Growth Budget’ will result in a growth in poverty, particularly for the vulnerable teenagers who have had support stripped away from them,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Social Development and Employment, Ricardo Menéndez March.

“The Government has just told teenagers doing it tough that they are on their own. A lot of teenagers having to rely on benefits for support do not have family to lean on - the Government knows this, it just doesn’t care.

“Furthermore, documents in the Government’s own Budget clearly show it is far off track to meeting the Child Poverty Reduction targets, with over 1 in 8 children living in abject poverty under this Government which is willing to fork out billions for the wealthy, while leaving people in poverty behind.

“More children will grow up in cold, damp homes without food on the table because of the decisions this Government has made today. Christopher Luxon has told New Zealand he doesn’t care about child poverty with this Budget.

“We cannot keep doing the same and expect something different. A Green Government will end poverty by ensuring everyone has a liveable income.

“We will end all benefit sanctions and remove barriers to accessing income support, and instead ensure everyone has good lives.

“Our Income Guarantee would mean everyone would have at least $395 a week, and in the case of a sole parent a minimum of $755. Our Green Jobs Guarantee and expanded Jobs for Nature programme will create thousands of jobs to ensure young people have the employment opportunities they deserve. A different Aotearoa is possible and within our reach,” says Ricardo Menéndez March.

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