Beneficiaries in debt

Beneficiaries are "drowning in a sea of debt", says the National Party. Welfare spokeswoman Judith Collins said total debt owed by current beneficiaries to Work and Income stood at $333.3 million at the end of August.

Former beneficiaries owed $427.1 million. But acting Social Development Minister Steve Maharey said the Government had succeeded in reducing debt incurred by over-payment and fraud, and most people owed less than $2000.