Families Finally The Focus Of The Budget Policy Statement

The NZ Council of Christian Social Services is extremely pleased to see the Budget Policy Statement's focus on addressing the needs of families who are struggling to make ends meet.

Council spokesperson Campbell Roberts explained, "At the moment three out of ten kids live in poverty. Poverty-related childhood diseases occur at almost third-world rates in some areas. This should be seen as completely unacceptable in a developed country."

The NZ Council of Christian Social Services has consistently asked the Government to do more to tackle poverty. One of the Council's recommendations has been for family support payments to be increased and inflation-adjusted. Given Dr Cullen's positive statements, the Council anticipates that this policy will be announced in next year's budget.

Spokesperson Major Roberts said that he hopes a substantial portion of the one billion dollars of new operating expenditure announced today will be allocated to supporting low-to-middle income families.

ENDS

For further media contact: Paula Skilling, NZCCSS Executive Officer

Work - 04 473 2627, Mobile - 025 779 341, email: -
paula.skilling@nzccss.org.nz

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