A welfare expert's pointing to the lack of jobs being the main reason more people are ending up on the benefit.

Ministry of Social Development statistics show almost 8 thousand more were receiving a main benefit in June compared to March. 

It follows the Government instating new requirements for beneficiaries in hopes of getting more into the workforce. 

Former Welfare Advisory Group member Phil O'Reilly told Andrew Dickens the Government needs to up public spending to help the lagging economy.

He says it's about trying to reinvigorate the construction sector, which has seen 17 thousand jobs lost in the last 18 months.

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A welfare expert's pointing to the lack of jobs being the main reason more people are ending up on the benefit.
Ministry of Social Development statistics show almost 8 thousand more were receiving a main benefit in June compared to March.&nbsp;
It follows the Government instating new requirements for beneficiaries in hopes of getting more into the workforce.&nbsp;
Former Welfare Advisory Group member Phil O'Reilly told Andrew Dickens the Government needs to up public spending to help the lagging economy.
He says it's about trying to reinvigorate the construction sector, which has seen 17 thousand jobs lost in the last 18 months.
LISTEN ABOVE

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Phil O'Reilly: Former Welfare Advisory Group member on benefit numbers increasing

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/778c98a1-03c0-4355-9bbf-b31d012c3262/transcript

The Government's being criticised for giving the country the run-around with next year's fuel tax.  

It's cancelled the 12 cent per litre hike and equivalent lift to road user charges that were set to take effect in January.  

The next rise of five cents a litre now kicks in from January 2028.  

AA Fuel Spokesperson Terry Collins told Ryan Bridge the Land Transport Fund has been under stress because it's unable to get enough money to do the work that's needed. 

He says any time there's funding uncertainty or money is removed from it, it adds to the problem, kicking it down the road and making it bigger in the future. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

The Government's being criticised for giving the country the run-around with next year's fuel tax. &nbsp;
It's cancelled the 12 cent per litre hike and equivalent lift to road user charges that were set to take effect in January. &nbsp;
The next rise of five cents a litre now kicks in from January 2028. &nbsp;
AA Fuel Spokesperson Terry Collins told Ryan Bridge the Land Transport Fund has been under stress because it's unable to get enough money to do the work that's needed.&nbsp;
He says any time there's funding uncertainty or money is removed from it, it adds to the problem, kicking it down the road and making it bigger in the future.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Terry Collins: AA Fuel Spokesperson on the Government pushing back and reducing the fuel tax hike

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6776ef30-d84f-499e-b9dd-b4b701828f20/transcript

ACT's proposing changes to Permanent Resident Visa requirements to make sure holders are actually living here.  

The party wants to increase the initial two-year travel condition for Resident Visa holders to five. 

Residents would be able to travel freely in and out of the country after this period, but would need to spend at least 730 days here during any rolling five-year period. 

Immigration Spokesperson Parmjeet Parmar told Ryan Bridge they want people to be living, working, and contributing in New Zealand. 

She says they're welcoming all migrants who genuinely want to be here, but her job is to fix the system if it's being exploited. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

ACT's proposing changes to Permanent Resident Visa requirements to make sure holders are actually living here. &nbsp;
The party wants to increase the initial two-year travel condition for Resident Visa holders to five.&nbsp;
Residents would be able to travel freely in and out of the country after this period, but would need to spend at least 730 days here during any rolling five-year period.&nbsp;
Immigration Spokesperson Parmjeet Parmar told Ryan Bridge they want people to be living, working, and contributing in New Zealand.&nbsp;
She says they're welcoming all migrants who genuinely want to be here, but her job is to fix the system if it's being exploited.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Parmjeet Parmar: ACT's Immigration Spokesperson on their proposed changes to Permanent Resident Visa requirements

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4ea0e5c2-60ec-45ba-853f-b4b7017ca577/transcript

There are concerns Labour's graduate nurse policy could simply shift staffing pressures from hospitals to aged care.

Labour's promising $525 million to give every graduate nurse a job offer after they pass their exams.

But the Aged Care Association says while that could ease pressure on hospitals, it could leave aged care struggling to recruit.

Chief Executive Tracey Martin told Ryan Bridge that's what's happened historically. 

She says generally when the hospitals stop hiring, their workforce is stable.

LISTEN ABOVE

There are concerns Labour's graduate nurse policy could simply shift staffing pressures from hospitals to aged care.
Labour's promising $525 million to give every graduate nurse a job offer after they pass their exams.
But the Aged Care Association says while that could ease pressure on hospitals, it could leave aged care struggling to recruit.
Chief Executive Tracey Martin told Ryan Bridge that's what's happened historically.&nbsp;
She says generally when the hospitals stop hiring, their workforce is stable.
LISTEN ABOVE

Tracey Martin: Aged Care Association Chief Executive on concerns Labour’s nurse policy could shift staff pressures to aged care

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/862b1297-70af-4683-a955-b4b7012e7cc4/transcript

Phil O'Reilly: Former Welfare Advisory Group member on benefit numbers increasing

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