More chance for children as benefit numbers tumble

08 February 2007
For Immediate Release
 

Latest benefit figures show that there are now 62,735 fewer children living in a household claiming a main benefit than in December 1999, says Social Development and Employment Minister, David Benson-Pope.

The figures for the December quarter 2006 show 218,985 dependent children living in such households, compared with 281,720 in December 1999, which is a drop of 22.3 per cent.

“There has been a particularly significant fall in the numbers of children living in households with a parent on the Unemployment Benefit," said Mr Benson-Pope. "In 1999, 55,913 children lived in such households, seven years later that figure is down 80.7 per cent, to 10,765."

Today's figures show 287,000 working-aged people are currently claiming a benefit, or 115,000 fewer than in 1999. Over the year to December 2006, the numbers decreased by 15,000 or five per cent.

"Today's figures are further proof that we're on the right track," said Mr Benson-Pope. "Unlike the National regimes of the 1990s, this Labour-led Government has helped create an economic environment in which real jobs are proving a real incentive for people to move off the benefit."

Contact: Allen Walley on 04 471 9685 or 027 272 4270