Politics Live Blog: September 25 - 31
‘Now is not the time to turn back’: Labour releases last cost of living policy and manifesto
Labour has released a new policy of two million free hours of maths and literacy catch up for intermediate and secondary students whose education has been disrupted by the pandemic, as well as its manifesto with its 10-point cost of living plan.
Here is a breakdown of the policy:
- Intermediate and secondary school students will have access to two million free tutoring sessions to help lift maths and literacy achievement
- A maths and literacy training fund for all primary and intermediate teachers
- More funding to help young people get back to school, into training or work.
“Finally, we will put a further $43 million into education and training pathways for young people who have dropped out or been expelled from school. These are some of our hardest-to-reach kids – but Labour won’t write them off,” education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said.
Here are the other promises Chris Hiplins is making in his party’s manifesto:
A re-elected Labour Government I lead will:
• Grow our economy, keep Kiwis in work with growing wages, and bring inflation back down.
• Provide Free Basic Dental care for under 30 year olds. By the end of our next term in Government 40% of all Kiwis will have access to free dental care – and we’ll open the door to Labour’s long term goal of making basic dental free for all ages in the future.
• Remove GST from Fruit and Vegetables. We know every dollar counts in the family shop for so many.
• Extend free early childhood education for 2 year olds, so families will receive 20 hours of free early childcare education. This will save parents $133 a week from March next year.
• Boost Working for Families, meaning an additional $25 per week for 160,000 working families by 2024 – helping with the cost of living pressures.
• Add another 300 new frontline Police to the force on top of the 1800 additional Police we’ve already delivered in Government.
• Introduce four weeks paid parental leave for partners.
Of course that isn’t all - we are committed to the policies already in place, like free prescriptions and cheaper public transport for under 25s - both of which National have promised to get rid of.
“I’m proud of our track record, realistic about the challenges before us, and incredibly optimistic about New Zealand’s future. Progress is being made. We’re turning the corner on so many fronts – now is not the time to turn back.”
Here are the other promises Chris Hiplins is making in his party’s manifesto:
A re-elected Labour Government I lead will:
• Grow our economy, keep Kiwis in work with growing wages, and bring inflation back down.
• Provide Free Basic Dental care for under 30 year olds. By the end of our next term in Government 40% of all Kiwis will have access to free dental care – and we’ll open the door to Labour’s long term goal of making basic dental free for all ages in the future.
• Remove GST from Fruit and Vegetables. We know every dollar counts in the family shop for so many.
• Extend free early childhood education for 2 year olds, so families will receive 20 hours of free early childcare education. This will save parents $133 a week from March next year.
• Boost Working for Families, meaning an additional $25 per week for 160,000 working families by 2024 – helping with the cost of living pressures.
• Add another 300 new frontline Police to the force on top of the 1800 additional Police we’ve already delivered in Government.
• Introduce four weeks paid parental leave for partners.
Of course that isn’t all - we are committed to the policies already in place, like free prescriptions and cheaper public transport for under 25s - both of which National have promised to get rid of.
“I’m proud of our track record, realistic about the challenges before us, and incredibly optimistic about New Zealand’s future. Progress is being made. We’re turning the corner on so many fronts – now is not the time to turn back.”