A lift in beneficiaries could suggest recent policy decisions are taking us in the wrong direction. 

At the end of March, just over 409-thousand people were on a main benefit, almost three percent more than the year prior.

Jobseeker numbers are up 2.6 percent.

Auckland University Associate Economics Professor Susan St John told Ryan Bridge many of the ways we've tried to bring down spending have impacted the labour market.

She says until we can recognise, we're in a deep recession it's going to get worse, and we need the Government to step up, otherwise we're stuffed. 

A lift in beneficiaries could suggest recent policy decisions are taking us in the wrong direction.&nbsp;
At the end of March, just over 409-thousand people were on a main benefit, almost three percent more than the year prior.
Jobseeker numbers are up 2.6 percent.
Auckland University Associate Economics Professor Susan St John told Ryan Bridge many of the ways we've tried to bring down spending have impacted the labour market.
She says until we can recognise, we're in a deep recession it's going to get worse, and we need the Government to step up, otherwise we're stuffed.&nbsp;

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

Susan St John: Auckland University Associate Economics Professor on Jobseeker numbers

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4c11268d-33a0-475f-880e-b42e012b645c/transcript