20 May 2011

“The National Government’s 2011 Budget will do nothing for those struggling to make ends meet in Northland and all of NZ,” says Welfare Rights Whangarei spokesperson Tim Howard.

Northland levels of poverty and health issues are the worst in the country. “There is nothing extra for those on benefits or low incomes that would tackle child poverty in the region. Tax breaks for the rich are still in place while lower income workers lose part of their KiwiSaver and Working for Families entitlements.

“There is no effort made to create real jobs or a living wage. There are no creative training programmes. This means continuing unemployment in the North, especially for Maori. This Budget will do nothing to reduce the long term effects of ongoing poverty,” said the Welfare Rights Whangarei spokesperson.

Mr Howard said that the ‘Do Nothing’ option on poverty has left the North with a bleak outlook for the next few years, if this Government is re-elected. Welfare Rights Whangarei anticipates that cuts to the Public Service would also impact in this region, with locals losing their jobs and further public services being withdrawn.

“This Budget will increase the level of inequality already present in the North. In 2009, the Government’s own advice (Ministry of Social Development Report) said ‘19% of children in NZ experience serious hardship.’ There is every sign that the situation in Northland now is worse. This Budget continues that Governmental policy of silence and inaction,” said Tim Howard.

Welfare Rights Whangarei believes that the Government is trying to balance its own books on the backs of children and lower wage earners. This is at the expense of balancing the books on social equality.

ENDS

© Scoop Media