An economics professor says Working For Families abatement thresholds have fallen behind and should increase.

The Government lifted the abatement threshold in 2017, from a little more than $36,000 to $42,700.

But wage growth has pushed many families over the limit for receiving it.

Auckland University associate economics professor Susan St John told Kate Hawkesby an increase between $52,000 and $55,000 would be realistic.

She says it's very serious; more and more families are unable to balance budgets, and are at food banks.

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An economics professor says Working For Families abatement thresholds have fallen behind and should increase.
The Government lifted the abatement threshold in 2017, from a little more than $36,000 to $42,700.
But wage growth has pushed many families over the limit for receiving it.
Auckland University associate economics professor Susan St John told Kate Hawkesby an increase between $52,000 and $55,000 would be realistic.
She says it's very serious; more and more families are unable to balance budgets, and are at food banks.
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

Susan St John: Economics professor says Working For Families abatement thresholds have fallen behind and should increase

Banks and economists expect the Official Cash Rate to hold at 2.25% despite global uncertainty.  

It's the first OCR announcement since conflict erupted in the Middle East, with September the hot pick for when the rate will next lift. 

Co-operative Bank CEO Mark Wilshire told Ryan Bridge he expects a cautious approach by both the Reserve Bank and the Government in the coming days.  

He says it'll be interesting to see the bank's outlook and Budget announcements tomorrow, which will probably be fairly constrained in terms of spending. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Banks and economists expect the Official Cash Rate to hold at 2.25% despite global uncertainty. &nbsp;
It's the first OCR announcement since conflict erupted in the Middle East, with September the hot pick for when the rate will next lift.&nbsp;
Co-operative Bank CEO Mark Wilshire told Ryan Bridge he expects a cautious approach by both the Reserve Bank and the Government in the coming days. &nbsp;
He says it'll be interesting to see the bank's outlook and Budget announcements tomorrow, which will probably be fairly constrained in terms of spending.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Mark Wilshire: Co-operative Bank CEO ahead of the Official Cash Rate announcement

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c7512742-1a51-40f4-aa37-b45601816933/transcript

Health NZ is apologising for the Manage My Health cyber-attack.  

The Privacy Commissioner has found both failed to protect sensitive patient information. 

Over 90% of the 100 thousand patients affected late last year were Northlanders. 

Health NZ says it's working on a response plan after commissioning its own report from Deloitte.  

Chief Financial Officer Bevan McKenzie told Ryan Bridge cyber risks are something to be highly aware of, and people themselves need to be vigilant as well. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Health NZ is apologising for the Manage My Health cyber-attack. &nbsp;
The Privacy Commissioner has found both failed to protect sensitive patient information.&nbsp;
Over 90% of the 100 thousand patients affected late last year were Northlanders.&nbsp;
Health NZ says it's working on a response plan after commissioning its own report from Deloitte. &nbsp;
Chief Financial Officer Bevan McKenzie told Ryan Bridge cyber risks are something to be highly aware of, and people themselves need to be vigilant as well.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Bevan McKenzie: Health NZ Chief Financial Officer on the inquiry into the Manage My Health cyber-attack

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5c695421-4755-4c4b-9539-b4560178a96e/transcript

There's a belief we'll have to wait and see to understand why remand numbers are shifting.

The numbers of remand prisoners fell for three consecutive quarters last year.

It peaked last March at just over 45 hundred, before falling by the end of the year. 

Over the same period, the total prison population grew by 275.

Criminal lawyer Steve Cullen told Ryan Bridge it could be previous delays in the courts that led more on remand. 

He says you can have generational cohorts coming through or a population wave which changes the types of offending.

LISTEN ABOVE

There's a belief we'll have to wait and see to understand why remand numbers are shifting.
The numbers of remand prisoners fell for three consecutive quarters last year.
It peaked last March at just over 45 hundred, before falling by the end of the year.&nbsp;
Over the same period, the total prison population grew by 275.
Criminal lawyer Steve Cullen told Ryan Bridge it could be previous delays in the courts that led more on remand.&nbsp;
He says you can have generational cohorts coming through or a population wave which changes the types of offending.
LISTEN ABOVE

Steve Cullen: Criminal Lawyer on 2025 remand numbers dropping as prisoner numbers reach record highs

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f2f2b194-f4d7-48e6-8ef1-b456012f7528/transcript

Susan St John: Economics professor says Working For Families abatement thresholds have fallen behind and should increase

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