Lindsay Mitchell looks at Social Welfare Reform
in New Zealand and overseas.
in New Zealand and overseas.
CONTACT:
Lindsay Mitchell
ph/fx 04 562 7944
mob 021 132 5968
Other Information:
Whanau Ora
Reforms By Country
International Welfare Statistics
Social Security programs throughout the world
Welfare Reform
in NZ Politics
Friends of Welfare Reform
Recommended Books
More about:
Maori & Welfare
Welfare & Crime
Need help to search
Parliamentary Questions?
Archives
Media Releases & Articles 03-06
Lindsay Mitchell
ph/fx 04 562 7944
mob 021 132 5968
Other Information:
Whanau Ora
Reforms By Country
International Welfare Statistics
Social Security programs throughout the world
Welfare Reform
in NZ Politics
Friends of Welfare Reform
Recommended Books
More about:
Maori & Welfare
Welfare & Crime
Need help to search
Parliamentary Questions?
Archives
Media Releases & Articles 03-06
Media Releases
Labour's Welfare Policy Diametrically
Opposed to Previous Position
Monday, November 7, 2011
Labour's welfare policy, announced today, promises to extend the In Work Tax Credit (IWTC) to all beneficiary parents. Welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell says this is a complete reversal of their previous position. "It was Labour that introduced the IWTC under the Social Security Amendment Bill 2006 which revolved around the principle that work in paid employment offers the best opportunity for people to achieve social and economic well-being." [More...]
23% Babies Born 2010 on Benefit by Year End
Tuesday, October11, 2011
Data released to welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell show that 23 percent of the babies born in 2010 were reliant on a benefit by the end of that year. "Statistics released under the Official Information Act show that at December 31, 2010, 14,537 Work and Income clients receiving a main benefit had babies in their care that were born during 2010. That represents 23 percent of all babies born in 2010. Almost one in four." [More...]
MSD Boss admits benefits not best for kids
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
The outgoing chief executive of the Ministry of Social Development has at last acknowledged the findings of research conducted almost ten years ago. This is a welcome but long overdue admission said welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell. [More...]
Child Poverty - What is left unsaid.
Opinion, Thursday, September 22, 2011
In the run up to the election, groups wanting the government to solve child poverty have been very active. A mix of academics, political activists, religious lobby groups etc. say that 200,000 New Zealand children are living in poverty thereby significantly increasing their risks of poor health, educational and social outcomes. [More...]
National's Welfare Reform Proposals Don't go far Enough
Sunday, August 14, 2011
The welfare reform proposals that relate to young people on benefits announced today don't go far enough, welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell said today. "Allowing the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Social Development to share information about school leavers going on welfare should never have been stopped in the first place. " [More...]
Over three quarters of teen parents on welfare
Monday, July 11, 2011
According to data released under the Official Information Act, seventy eight percent of teen parents, mostly mothers, receive a benefit. "As far as I am aware this is the first official confirmation of the very high level of dependence among teenage mothers, " welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell said in response. [More...]
PM Rules Out Measures to Discourage Having Children on a Benefit
Monday, May 30, 2011
Nearly one in four current sole parent beneficiaries has added a child to their existing benefit. During Cabinet discussions today the Prime Minister ruled out the Welfare Working Group's recommendations to discourage this from happening. Welfare commentator... [More...]
Methodist Attack on WWG Misguided
Monday, March 21, 2011
The Christchurch Methodist Mission has published a misguided and unwarranted attack on the work of the government-established Welfare Working Group. Welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell said today that the four page pamphlet The Facts about welfare in New Zealand is highly selective, contains inaccuracies and misleads. [More...]
Alternative Group Reminds Us Why Welfare is in a Mess
Friday, December10, 2010
The demands made yesterday by the Alternative Welfare Working Group only serve to remind New Zealanders why welfare is in such a mess. Welfare Commentator Lindsay Mitchell said, "The group is calling for basic benefit levels to rise by as much as 50 percent because they are too low to live on, yet most beneficiaries are receiving second or third tier assistance such as the accommodation supplement and family tax credits. Increasing basic rates will only encourage more people into the system. " [More...]
Labour Promises Built on Faulty Premises
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Addressing this weekend's Labour Party Conference, Deputy Leader and Welfare Spokesperson, Annette King, singled out the domestic purposes benefit as a policy that would change under their new 'putting children first' philosophy. "Unfortunately Ms King doesn't properly understand the dimensions of existing DPB dependence and its effect on children, "said welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell. [More...]
Treasury finds greatest opportunity for reform with DPB.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
A Treasury report prepared for the Welfare Working Group has correctly identified that the greatest opportunity for welfare reform lies with the Domestic Purposes Benefit, says welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell. "Treasury identified six ways in which welfare reform could improve outcomes for both beneficiaries and the economy. They are improved labour force participation; reduced poverty risk; fiscal savings; improved intergenerational outcomes; greater individual and social well-being and increased economic growth. " [More...]
Extent of DPB Dependence Surprises Ministry
Monday, August 16, 2010
The Ministry of Social Development has just published research that finds the length of time sole parents stay on the Domestic Purposes Benefit is greater than previously thought.
"This finding is in line with what I have been saying for many years, " said welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell. " The real level of dependence has been masked by the short-term and often repeat stays many sole parents experience." [More...]
23 Percent of Babies on Benefit by Year End
Friday, July 23, 2010
Data released under the Official Information Act shows that by the end of December 2009 14,394 babies born that year were being supported by a main benefit. Welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell said, "That represents around 23 percent of babies born in New Zealand last year, an increase on 2008 when the percentage was 21% and 2007 when it was 18%." [More...]
Report Highlights the Value of Work
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
A paper will be launched in Auckland today by The Royal Australasian College of Physicians entitled, 'Realising the Health Benefits of Work'. According to welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell the report claims that two thirds of sickness absence and long-term incapacity is due to mild and treatable conditions.
"This claim would help to explain why the number of people who rely on a sickness or invalid's benefit has increased dramatically over recent years. Conditions that might not have kept people from work 20 or 30 years ago are now considered grounds for claiming some form of incapacity benefit." [More...]
Welfare Reforms a Rehash
Tuesday, 23 March, 2010
The National Government's welfare reforms aimed at reducing the cycle of welfare dependency and branded as Future Focus, have either been tried before or are a continuation of current practice dressed up as a new approach, according to welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell.
"For instance, the Minister is promising a redesigned medical certificate for sickness and invalid beneficiaries but the current certificate was only redesigned in September 2007 as part of the Working New Zealand: Work-Focused Support Programme. Additionally we are told that applicants for the invalid's benefit who are expected to be able to work part-time in the next two years will instead receive a sickness benefit. That is the existing criteria for eligibility." [more...]
Support for Government Wealth Redistribution Declining
Monday 22 March 2010
The latest Massey University produced Social Inequality Survey has revealed falling support for state redistribution of wealth.
According to welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell, "The survey of 935 respondents found that while 40 percent of people still think it is the government's job to reduce income inequality, 34 percent, a growing number, disagree." [more...]
Big Rise in Beneficiaries Going to Prison
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Figures released under the Official Information Act show there has been a sharp increase in the number of people who have had their benefits cancelled because they went to prison.
"In 2009 4,192 people had their benefit cancelled because they were going to prison. That is 37 percent up on the 2008 figure, and 47 percent up on the 2007 figure," according to welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell. [more...]
Welfare Reform Reduces Child Abuse
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Debate has flared on the back of calls for sterilisation of the worst child abusers. When a problem is extreme, as is the incidence of child abuse in New Zealand, people sometimes understandably react with extreme ideas, welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell said today.
[more...]
From Dole to DPB
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Most benefit-dependent single parents who go on welfare as teenagers appear first in the dole queue.
Welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell said today, "Data released under the Official Information Act shows that of those welfare-dependent single parents the Ministry has full benefit history for (aged 29 or younger) 33,730 first claimed welfare as a teenager, but surprisingly, only 17 percent began on the DPB. For 61 percent, the first benefit they relied on was an unemployment benefit."
[more...]
PM Admits Welfare Roll Out of Control
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
In his statement to parliament Prime Minister John Key today said that New Zealand needs to bring welfare rolls "back under control".
"Mr Key's assessment of the situation is correct but his prescription for bringing the rolls back under control is not," said Lindsay Mitchell, welfare commentator.
[more...]
Record Rise in Sickness Benefit Numbers
Friday, January 22, 2010
Statistics released today by the Ministry of Social Development show that numbers on the sickness benefit have jumped by 8,000 or 16 percent in the past year*. That is the largest yearly increase recorded since the sickness benefit became available in the 1930s.
[more...]
2025 Productivity Report Makes Crucial Recommendations
Monday, November 30, 2009
Crucial recommendations about the reform of working age welfare contained in the 2025 Taskforce Report must not be ignored, according to welfare commentator, Lindsay Mitchell.
"The report says that far too many fit and able New Zealanders are receiving their income from the state," said Mrs Mitchell. "This reduces New Zealand's productivity through loss of participation and contribution."
[more...]
Australia Extends Benefit Quarantining Beyond Aboriginal
Communities
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Australia is about to extend the Howard government imposed benefit quarantining beyond Northern Territory Aboriginal communities across urban and regional parts of the state. Other income management trials are also underway in Queensland and Western Australia.
[more...]
Benefit Changes Don't Go Far Enough
Monday, November 2, 2009
The government's plans to tighten up on benefit eligibility do not go far enough, according to welfare commentator, Lindsay Mitchell.
"Work-testing parents on the DPB when their youngest child turns 6 will encourage those who want to avoid work to simply expand their families. Currently around 5,000 babies are added to an existing benefit each year. One solution to this might be making additional children ineligible for family tax credits although this will increase hardship."
[more...]
National's Broken Promises
Monday, October 19, 2009
Information obtained under the Official Information Act shows that the National government has failed to implement the welfare policy promises it made during the 2008 election campaign.
Welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell said that she had been provided with information from the Ministry of Social Development which confirms that none of the promises laid out below has been implemented. The first column shows the promises and reasons for them, as detailed in National's manifesto; the second column provides the information from the Ministry of Social Development confirming none of the promises have been actioned.
[more...]
Liable Parents Foot 7 Percent of DPB Bill
Monday, October 12, 2009
In 2008 the Inland Revenue Department transferred $136 million from collected child support payments to the consolidated fund. This money offsets what is paid to custodial parents on benefits.
Welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell says this is a small percentage of what custodial parents are costing the state. "In 2008, the basic DPB bill was $ 1.479 billion. However, when other top-ups like the accommodation allowance are added, the all-up bill exceeds $2 billion. The transfer from IRD represents 6.8 percent of the total."
[more...]
Summit Delegate Disagrees With Benefit Recommendations
Thursday, 17 September, 2009
A Child Poverty Summit convened by the Every Child Counts organisation has recommended higher core benefit levels.
As one of the 70 invited delegates attending the Summit welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell says she did not agree with this proposal. "As a participant in the Social Exclusion workshop which made this particular recommendation, I argued against it. There are at least nine international research papers that show that an increase in benefit levels increases the number of children born outside of marriage or a stable relationship. This has the effect of drawing more children onto benefits, putting even more children at risk of the unintended consequences the Summit wants to reduce."
[more...]
Over Half of Adolescents Spent Time on a Benefit
Thursday, September 17, 2009
As many as 55 percent of children reaching adolescence have spent time being supported by a benefit. According to Lindsay Mitchell, welfare commentator, this is the startling finding of research just published by the Ministry of Social Development
The study also found that throughout most of the 1990s around one in four children were included in a benefit at birth or very soon after. Since 2000 the proportion had declined to one in five children born in 2005 and 2006, and 18 percent of children born in 2007.
[more...]
Paid Parental Leave Would Cost at Least $700 Million
Annually
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
The Families Commission today called for the government to extend Paid Parental Leave from 14 weeks to 13 months. Welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell says this move would cost New Zealand at least $672 million a year by 2013.
"Based on Treasury figures, the current scheme cost $135 million in 2008. Extending entitlement from 14 weeks to 13 months would push this cost up to $540 million. Based on Treasury's current projections, this would further increase to $672 million by 2013. Add to this the month's paid leave the Families Commission wants for fathers/partners , and the cost would rise to over $700 million."
[more...]
OECD Warns Against Long-Duration, Single-Parent Benefits
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The OECD has just released a comparative report about child well-being across developed countries. New Zealand is described as having high child poverty rates.
Welfare Commentator Lindsay Mitchell said that while some child advocacy groups interpreted that as a signal more should be spent on welfare, that isn't what the report is recommending. Mitchell quoted the report as saying, "Some countries spend considerable amounts on long-duration single-parent benefits. There is little or no evidence that these benefits positively influence child well-being. Durations could be reduced and resources concentrated on improving family income during the early part of the life cycle for those children."
[more...]
Violence Risk 4 Times Greater For Female Beneficiaries
Tuesday, 25 August, 2009
Women who are beneficiaries have a four-fold risk of experiencing partner violence according to the New Zealand Crime and Safety Survey 2006, published today as part of the Families Commission report, Family Violence Statistics.
[more...]
Recession is no Excuse to Put Work-Testing on Hold
Monday, August 24, 2009
Based on UK developments, welfare commentator, Lindsay Mitchell, is questioning why the National government decided not to introduce work-testing on the DPB, despite campaigning on this promise.
"The Minister of Social Development, Paula Bennett, has said the decision is because of the recession. However, the recession has not hit New Zealand in the way it has the United Kingdom, where the unemployment rate is 7.8 percent compared to 6 percent here. Despite this, in two months the United Kingdom will introduce new rules for benefit-dependent lone parents.[more...]
Sue Bradford rejects inconvenient truth about DPB
Monday, August 17, 2009
Green MP Sue Bradford is refusing to accept that the DPB is now responsible for violence towards women.
Quoted in The Epoch Times, 9 August, 2009, Ms Bradford said, "To remove it [DPB] would be one of the most evil things we could do to our women and children." It would mean a return to times when women "were dependent on men often (suffering) humiliation and physical violence."
[more...]
$50M TO Embark on Motherhood Unsupported
Thursday, 30 July, 2009
Thousands of young women are using the welfare system to embark on motherhood with no partner or financial support.
The claim comes from welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell who says that figures show that during 2008 2,300 females aged 18-24 years-old transferred from a pregnancy-related sickness benefit to the domestic purposes benefit. "These are young women who had no partner or financial support before or after birth."
[more...]
Over Half Teenage Mothers go on Welfare
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
New information released by the Ministry of Social Development shows that more than half of first-time teenage mothers giving birth in 2007 and 2008 went on welfare.
There was a yearly average of 5,044 births to 15-19 year-olds in 2007/08. According to welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell;
[more...]
Significant Risk Factor For Child Abuse Omitted
Thursday, June 4, 2009
A report released today by the Children's Commissioner lists factors associated with fatal assault and serious injury of New Zealand children. The report is fairly comprehensive, welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell said, but disappointingly fails to mention welfare dependence as a significant risk factor for the abuse and neglect of children.
[more...]
Alarming Growth in Drug Abuse Dependency
Monday, April 13, 2009
Figures released under the Official Information Act show that in the 18 months to the end of 2008 the total number of people dependent on a sickness or invalid benefit, with a primary incapacity of substance abuse, grew by an average of 60 each month. Welfare commentator, Lindsay Mitchell, said that the numbers are deeply concerning but not a surprise. "There has been plenty of anecdotal evidence pointing to this trend."
[more...]
Substance Abuse - A Growing Reason for Welfare Dependence
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The number of people on a sickness or invalid benefit, with a primary incapacity of substance abuse, has increased by 82 percent since 2002.
Welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell said that in June 2002 3, 202 people relied on one of these benefits because of substance abuse. "Information just released to me from the Ministry of Social Development shows that number has risen to 5,838."
[more...]
Govt Decision to Back Down on DPB Changes Stupid
Friday, March 27, 2009
Reacting to news the government has decided to put the re-introduction of DPB work-testing on hold, welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell simply said, "Stupid."
"National campaigned on re-introducing DPB work-testing for parents whose youngest child has turned six. Although I criticised the policy as toothless because there is no cap on how many children a recipient can have while on welfare, it nevertheless sends a message that being on the DPB shouldn't be considered a permanent state of affairs. Now that message has gone on hold, apparently because of the recession."
[more...]
Very Young Mothers - A Risk Factor for Criminality
Monday, March 9, 2009
A report recently released by Corrections New Zealand, which explores the "alarming" over-representation of Maori in the criminal justice system, has identified very young parents as a risk factor for potential criminality. Welfare commentator, Lindsay Mitchell, has welcomed the recognition of this fact but asks what government is going to do about the policy that encourages early parenthood.
[more...]
All Main Benefits on The Rise
Friday, January 30, 2009
End-of-year benefit statistics just released by the Ministry of Social Development show annual increases in every category of benefit, according to welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell.
"The number of working age people on a main benefit rose by six percent during 2008. But less than half of the increase was attributable to the unemployment benefit."
[more...]
Labour's Welfare Policy Diametrically
Opposed to Previous Position
Monday, November 7, 2011
Labour's welfare policy, announced today, promises to extend the In Work Tax Credit (IWTC) to all beneficiary parents. Welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell says this is a complete reversal of their previous position. "It was Labour that introduced the IWTC under the Social Security Amendment Bill 2006 which revolved around the principle that work in paid employment offers the best opportunity for people to achieve social and economic well-being." [More...]
23% Babies Born 2010 on Benefit by Year End
Tuesday, October11, 2011
Data released to welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell show that 23 percent of the babies born in 2010 were reliant on a benefit by the end of that year. "Statistics released under the Official Information Act show that at December 31, 2010, 14,537 Work and Income clients receiving a main benefit had babies in their care that were born during 2010. That represents 23 percent of all babies born in 2010. Almost one in four." [More...]
MSD Boss admits benefits not best for kids
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
The outgoing chief executive of the Ministry of Social Development has at last acknowledged the findings of research conducted almost ten years ago. This is a welcome but long overdue admission said welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell. [More...]
Child Poverty - What is left unsaid.
Opinion, Thursday, September 22, 2011
In the run up to the election, groups wanting the government to solve child poverty have been very active. A mix of academics, political activists, religious lobby groups etc. say that 200,000 New Zealand children are living in poverty thereby significantly increasing their risks of poor health, educational and social outcomes. [More...]
National's Welfare Reform Proposals Don't go far Enough
Sunday, August 14, 2011
The welfare reform proposals that relate to young people on benefits announced today don't go far enough, welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell said today. "Allowing the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Social Development to share information about school leavers going on welfare should never have been stopped in the first place. " [More...]
Over three quarters of teen parents on welfare
Monday, July 11, 2011
According to data released under the Official Information Act, seventy eight percent of teen parents, mostly mothers, receive a benefit. "As far as I am aware this is the first official confirmation of the very high level of dependence among teenage mothers, " welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell said in response. [More...]
PM Rules Out Measures to Discourage Having Children on a Benefit
Monday, May 30, 2011
Nearly one in four current sole parent beneficiaries has added a child to their existing benefit. During Cabinet discussions today the Prime Minister ruled out the Welfare Working Group's recommendations to discourage this from happening. Welfare commentator... [More...]
Methodist Attack on WWG Misguided
Monday, March 21, 2011
The Christchurch Methodist Mission has published a misguided and unwarranted attack on the work of the government-established Welfare Working Group. Welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell said today that the four page pamphlet The Facts about welfare in New Zealand is highly selective, contains inaccuracies and misleads. [More...]
Alternative Group Reminds Us Why Welfare is in a Mess
Friday, December10, 2010
The demands made yesterday by the Alternative Welfare Working Group only serve to remind New Zealanders why welfare is in such a mess. Welfare Commentator Lindsay Mitchell said, "The group is calling for basic benefit levels to rise by as much as 50 percent because they are too low to live on, yet most beneficiaries are receiving second or third tier assistance such as the accommodation supplement and family tax credits. Increasing basic rates will only encourage more people into the system. " [More...]
Labour Promises Built on Faulty Premises
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Addressing this weekend's Labour Party Conference, Deputy Leader and Welfare Spokesperson, Annette King, singled out the domestic purposes benefit as a policy that would change under their new 'putting children first' philosophy. "Unfortunately Ms King doesn't properly understand the dimensions of existing DPB dependence and its effect on children, "said welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell. [More...]
Treasury finds greatest opportunity for reform with DPB.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
A Treasury report prepared for the Welfare Working Group has correctly identified that the greatest opportunity for welfare reform lies with the Domestic Purposes Benefit, says welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell. "Treasury identified six ways in which welfare reform could improve outcomes for both beneficiaries and the economy. They are improved labour force participation; reduced poverty risk; fiscal savings; improved intergenerational outcomes; greater individual and social well-being and increased economic growth. " [More...]
Extent of DPB Dependence Surprises Ministry
Monday, August 16, 2010
The Ministry of Social Development has just published research that finds the length of time sole parents stay on the Domestic Purposes Benefit is greater than previously thought.
"This finding is in line with what I have been saying for many years, " said welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell. " The real level of dependence has been masked by the short-term and often repeat stays many sole parents experience." [More...]
23 Percent of Babies on Benefit by Year End
Friday, July 23, 2010
Data released under the Official Information Act shows that by the end of December 2009 14,394 babies born that year were being supported by a main benefit. Welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell said, "That represents around 23 percent of babies born in New Zealand last year, an increase on 2008 when the percentage was 21% and 2007 when it was 18%." [More...]
Report Highlights the Value of Work
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
A paper will be launched in Auckland today by The Royal Australasian College of Physicians entitled, 'Realising the Health Benefits of Work'. According to welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell the report claims that two thirds of sickness absence and long-term incapacity is due to mild and treatable conditions.
"This claim would help to explain why the number of people who rely on a sickness or invalid's benefit has increased dramatically over recent years. Conditions that might not have kept people from work 20 or 30 years ago are now considered grounds for claiming some form of incapacity benefit." [More...]
Welfare Reforms a Rehash
Tuesday, 23 March, 2010
The National Government's welfare reforms aimed at reducing the cycle of welfare dependency and branded as Future Focus, have either been tried before or are a continuation of current practice dressed up as a new approach, according to welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell.
"For instance, the Minister is promising a redesigned medical certificate for sickness and invalid beneficiaries but the current certificate was only redesigned in September 2007 as part of the Working New Zealand: Work-Focused Support Programme. Additionally we are told that applicants for the invalid's benefit who are expected to be able to work part-time in the next two years will instead receive a sickness benefit. That is the existing criteria for eligibility." [more...]
Support for Government Wealth Redistribution Declining
Monday 22 March 2010
The latest Massey University produced Social Inequality Survey has revealed falling support for state redistribution of wealth.
According to welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell, "The survey of 935 respondents found that while 40 percent of people still think it is the government's job to reduce income inequality, 34 percent, a growing number, disagree." [more...]
Big Rise in Beneficiaries Going to Prison
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Figures released under the Official Information Act show there has been a sharp increase in the number of people who have had their benefits cancelled because they went to prison.
"In 2009 4,192 people had their benefit cancelled because they were going to prison. That is 37 percent up on the 2008 figure, and 47 percent up on the 2007 figure," according to welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell. [more...]
Welfare Reform Reduces Child Abuse
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Debate has flared on the back of calls for sterilisation of the worst child abusers. When a problem is extreme, as is the incidence of child abuse in New Zealand, people sometimes understandably react with extreme ideas, welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell said today.
[more...]
From Dole to DPB
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Most benefit-dependent single parents who go on welfare as teenagers appear first in the dole queue.
Welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell said today, "Data released under the Official Information Act shows that of those welfare-dependent single parents the Ministry has full benefit history for (aged 29 or younger) 33,730 first claimed welfare as a teenager, but surprisingly, only 17 percent began on the DPB. For 61 percent, the first benefit they relied on was an unemployment benefit."
[more...]
PM Admits Welfare Roll Out of Control
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
In his statement to parliament Prime Minister John Key today said that New Zealand needs to bring welfare rolls "back under control".
"Mr Key's assessment of the situation is correct but his prescription for bringing the rolls back under control is not," said Lindsay Mitchell, welfare commentator.
[more...]
Record Rise in Sickness Benefit Numbers
Friday, January 22, 2010
Statistics released today by the Ministry of Social Development show that numbers on the sickness benefit have jumped by 8,000 or 16 percent in the past year*. That is the largest yearly increase recorded since the sickness benefit became available in the 1930s.
[more...]
2025 Productivity Report Makes Crucial Recommendations
Monday, November 30, 2009
Crucial recommendations about the reform of working age welfare contained in the 2025 Taskforce Report must not be ignored, according to welfare commentator, Lindsay Mitchell.
"The report says that far too many fit and able New Zealanders are receiving their income from the state," said Mrs Mitchell. "This reduces New Zealand's productivity through loss of participation and contribution."
[more...]
Australia Extends Benefit Quarantining Beyond Aboriginal
Communities
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Australia is about to extend the Howard government imposed benefit quarantining beyond Northern Territory Aboriginal communities across urban and regional parts of the state. Other income management trials are also underway in Queensland and Western Australia.
[more...]
Benefit Changes Don't Go Far Enough
Monday, November 2, 2009
The government's plans to tighten up on benefit eligibility do not go far enough, according to welfare commentator, Lindsay Mitchell.
"Work-testing parents on the DPB when their youngest child turns 6 will encourage those who want to avoid work to simply expand their families. Currently around 5,000 babies are added to an existing benefit each year. One solution to this might be making additional children ineligible for family tax credits although this will increase hardship."
[more...]
National's Broken Promises
Monday, October 19, 2009
Information obtained under the Official Information Act shows that the National government has failed to implement the welfare policy promises it made during the 2008 election campaign.
Welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell said that she had been provided with information from the Ministry of Social Development which confirms that none of the promises laid out below has been implemented. The first column shows the promises and reasons for them, as detailed in National's manifesto; the second column provides the information from the Ministry of Social Development confirming none of the promises have been actioned.
[more...]
Liable Parents Foot 7 Percent of DPB Bill
Monday, October 12, 2009
In 2008 the Inland Revenue Department transferred $136 million from collected child support payments to the consolidated fund. This money offsets what is paid to custodial parents on benefits.
Welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell says this is a small percentage of what custodial parents are costing the state. "In 2008, the basic DPB bill was $ 1.479 billion. However, when other top-ups like the accommodation allowance are added, the all-up bill exceeds $2 billion. The transfer from IRD represents 6.8 percent of the total."
[more...]
Summit Delegate Disagrees With Benefit Recommendations
Thursday, 17 September, 2009
A Child Poverty Summit convened by the Every Child Counts organisation has recommended higher core benefit levels.
As one of the 70 invited delegates attending the Summit welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell says she did not agree with this proposal. "As a participant in the Social Exclusion workshop which made this particular recommendation, I argued against it. There are at least nine international research papers that show that an increase in benefit levels increases the number of children born outside of marriage or a stable relationship. This has the effect of drawing more children onto benefits, putting even more children at risk of the unintended consequences the Summit wants to reduce."
[more...]
Over Half of Adolescents Spent Time on a Benefit
Thursday, September 17, 2009
As many as 55 percent of children reaching adolescence have spent time being supported by a benefit. According to Lindsay Mitchell, welfare commentator, this is the startling finding of research just published by the Ministry of Social Development
The study also found that throughout most of the 1990s around one in four children were included in a benefit at birth or very soon after. Since 2000 the proportion had declined to one in five children born in 2005 and 2006, and 18 percent of children born in 2007.
[more...]
Paid Parental Leave Would Cost at Least $700 Million
Annually
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
The Families Commission today called for the government to extend Paid Parental Leave from 14 weeks to 13 months. Welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell says this move would cost New Zealand at least $672 million a year by 2013.
"Based on Treasury figures, the current scheme cost $135 million in 2008. Extending entitlement from 14 weeks to 13 months would push this cost up to $540 million. Based on Treasury's current projections, this would further increase to $672 million by 2013. Add to this the month's paid leave the Families Commission wants for fathers/partners , and the cost would rise to over $700 million."
[more...]
OECD Warns Against Long-Duration, Single-Parent Benefits
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The OECD has just released a comparative report about child well-being across developed countries. New Zealand is described as having high child poverty rates.
Welfare Commentator Lindsay Mitchell said that while some child advocacy groups interpreted that as a signal more should be spent on welfare, that isn't what the report is recommending. Mitchell quoted the report as saying, "Some countries spend considerable amounts on long-duration single-parent benefits. There is little or no evidence that these benefits positively influence child well-being. Durations could be reduced and resources concentrated on improving family income during the early part of the life cycle for those children."
[more...]
Violence Risk 4 Times Greater For Female Beneficiaries
Tuesday, 25 August, 2009
Women who are beneficiaries have a four-fold risk of experiencing partner violence according to the New Zealand Crime and Safety Survey 2006, published today as part of the Families Commission report, Family Violence Statistics.
[more...]
Recession is no Excuse to Put Work-Testing on Hold
Monday, August 24, 2009
Based on UK developments, welfare commentator, Lindsay Mitchell, is questioning why the National government decided not to introduce work-testing on the DPB, despite campaigning on this promise.
"The Minister of Social Development, Paula Bennett, has said the decision is because of the recession. However, the recession has not hit New Zealand in the way it has the United Kingdom, where the unemployment rate is 7.8 percent compared to 6 percent here. Despite this, in two months the United Kingdom will introduce new rules for benefit-dependent lone parents.[more...]
Sue Bradford rejects inconvenient truth about DPB
Monday, August 17, 2009
Green MP Sue Bradford is refusing to accept that the DPB is now responsible for violence towards women.
Quoted in The Epoch Times, 9 August, 2009, Ms Bradford said, "To remove it [DPB] would be one of the most evil things we could do to our women and children." It would mean a return to times when women "were dependent on men often (suffering) humiliation and physical violence."
[more...]
$50M TO Embark on Motherhood Unsupported
Thursday, 30 July, 2009
Thousands of young women are using the welfare system to embark on motherhood with no partner or financial support.
The claim comes from welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell who says that figures show that during 2008 2,300 females aged 18-24 years-old transferred from a pregnancy-related sickness benefit to the domestic purposes benefit. "These are young women who had no partner or financial support before or after birth."
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Over Half Teenage Mothers go on Welfare
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
New information released by the Ministry of Social Development shows that more than half of first-time teenage mothers giving birth in 2007 and 2008 went on welfare.
There was a yearly average of 5,044 births to 15-19 year-olds in 2007/08. According to welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell;
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Significant Risk Factor For Child Abuse Omitted
Thursday, June 4, 2009
A report released today by the Children's Commissioner lists factors associated with fatal assault and serious injury of New Zealand children. The report is fairly comprehensive, welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell said, but disappointingly fails to mention welfare dependence as a significant risk factor for the abuse and neglect of children.
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Alarming Growth in Drug Abuse Dependency
Monday, April 13, 2009
Figures released under the Official Information Act show that in the 18 months to the end of 2008 the total number of people dependent on a sickness or invalid benefit, with a primary incapacity of substance abuse, grew by an average of 60 each month. Welfare commentator, Lindsay Mitchell, said that the numbers are deeply concerning but not a surprise. "There has been plenty of anecdotal evidence pointing to this trend."
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Substance Abuse - A Growing Reason for Welfare Dependence
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The number of people on a sickness or invalid benefit, with a primary incapacity of substance abuse, has increased by 82 percent since 2002.
Welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell said that in June 2002 3, 202 people relied on one of these benefits because of substance abuse. "Information just released to me from the Ministry of Social Development shows that number has risen to 5,838."
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Govt Decision to Back Down on DPB Changes Stupid
Friday, March 27, 2009
Reacting to news the government has decided to put the re-introduction of DPB work-testing on hold, welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell simply said, "Stupid."
"National campaigned on re-introducing DPB work-testing for parents whose youngest child has turned six. Although I criticised the policy as toothless because there is no cap on how many children a recipient can have while on welfare, it nevertheless sends a message that being on the DPB shouldn't be considered a permanent state of affairs. Now that message has gone on hold, apparently because of the recession."
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Very Young Mothers - A Risk Factor for Criminality
Monday, March 9, 2009
A report recently released by Corrections New Zealand, which explores the "alarming" over-representation of Maori in the criminal justice system, has identified very young parents as a risk factor for potential criminality. Welfare commentator, Lindsay Mitchell, has welcomed the recognition of this fact but asks what government is going to do about the policy that encourages early parenthood.
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All Main Benefits on The Rise
Friday, January 30, 2009
End-of-year benefit statistics just released by the Ministry of Social Development show annual increases in every category of benefit, according to welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell.
"The number of working age people on a main benefit rose by six percent during 2008. But less than half of the increase was attributable to the unemployment benefit."
[more...]
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