Latest from Social Welfare

Ex-MP arrested at protest

Former MP Sue Bradford and four others will appear in court on Friday after a protest action at the Ministry of Social Development's Auckland regional office today.

Reforms target benefit 'trap'

The Government's latest welfare reforms will help get people out of the "trap" of benefit dependency, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says.

'One strike' rule for beneficiaries

Second bill in welfare reform cancels payments for those who refuse offer of 'suitable' job.

Welfare reforms introduced

Legislation introducing an "investment approach'' to welfare has been signed off by the Cabinet and will go before a select committee after its first reading in Parliament.

Bennett out-nannies Labour

Dr Andrew Cardow says Paula Bennett appears to be working under the belief that beneficiaries do not have the wherewithal to decide what is best for their children.

Editorial: Compulsory pre-school a boon for all

Editorial: Early education has not been a priority for this Government. But having made it compulsory for beneficiaries National will find it hard to argue against wider compulsion.

Benefit ‘no excuse for hard line’

The Finance Minister denies the Government will use a $78 billion valuation of the lifelong cost of benefits as an excuse to get the public to buy into a harder line on welfare.

Linking welfare to preschool attendance a world first

Fear over beneficiary child changes

Early childhood experts are in shock after a government decision to make education compulsory from the age of 3 for children of welfare beneficiaries.