Labour says the current state of Government books shows it went too hard and too fast with public service cuts.
Treasury documents show the Crown's deficit has grown $3.4 billion dollars in the year to June, to $12.9 billion.
Spending is outpacing income, despite revenue increasing by $14 billion.
Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds told Ryan Bridge the Government could have kept public sector jobs if it ditched tax cuts.
She says public funding flows through the economy to help during a cost of living crisis.
Edmonds says the Government's decisions have made the annual deficit worse than at the height of COVID.
LISTEN ABOVE

Tim Adams: Auckland FC Fan Group Representative previews the A-League Grand Final clash
02:56

Paul Giberd: Social Housing Aotearoa CEO on the social housing overhaul and possible impact on elderly people
04:11

Michael Baker: Otago University Public Health Professor on Pharmac's proposal to expand free flu vaccines
03:43