Media Release

Drop In DPB Numbers Challenged

Monday, December 18, 2006

According to Minister for Social Development, David Benson-Pope, DPB numbers have fallen below 100,000 for the first time since 1993.

Welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell challenged this claim to success. "In December 1993 the unemployment rate was 9.2 percent. Why is it that with an unemployment rate of only 3.8 percent there are still the same number of people on the DPB?"

She also notes, with some skepticism, "Bear in mind too that if you rename the 'DPB' the 'In-Work' payment there will naturally be a drop in the number of people on it. People who were on a partial DPB due to working part-time are transferring onto the In-Work payment, which pays more."

"The dropping DPB numbers need to be put into context. Welfare, by any other name, is still welfare."

ENDS

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