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Evidence of Pressing Issues of Poverty
New Research Provides Evidence of Pressing Issues of
Poverty
“A Ministry of Social Development report released today revealing that one in five New Zealanders face severe hardship, sets a new standard in research that is genuinely useful in developing policy for New Zealand’s future,” said Ross Wilson president of the Council of trade Unions today.
“The evidence in The ‘Living Standards’ research of the pressing issues of poverty must concern all New Zealanders who believe that we should all be able to participate in our communities,” said Ross Wilson.
Ross Wilson said that the research contained disturbing evidence of the impact of hardship on children, sole parents, and Maori and Pacific communities.
“Like the CTU's 30 Families report, this research shows that hardship reduces peoples' ability to participate in their communities,” said Ross Wilson.
The research shows that people in work have better living standards than those on benefits.
“The report paints a stark picture of the price of the 1990’s policies,” Ross Wilson said.
“The clear message is that we have to make a greater social investment to reduce early childhood poverty, and to build the social conditions to assist people to move into quality paid work.”
Ross Wilson said the research reaffirmed other work showing employment growth on its own has not lifted people out of poverty.
“The benefits of economic growth must be shared across all our communities,” he said.
“The report clearly shows the dangers of not addressing income disparities and hardship, especially when they impact on so many children and therefore are likely to have longer term effects education, health and employment outcomes.”
New Zealand Council of Trade Unions
Te Kauae Kaimahi
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi brings together over 350,000 New Zealand union members in 40 affiliated unions. We are the united voice for working people and their families in New Zealand.
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