NZ Politics Live - Feb 19
Minister insists there is evidence to support sanctions
Social Development Minister Louise Upston insists there is evidence supporting the Government's plan for increased sanctions.
Stuff asked Upston if there was any evidence support this policy, given MSD's own research - from 2018 - said there was scant evidence to show benefit sanctions led to more people getting into work.
Upston responded with a 2010 OECD research paper, showing imposing sanctions - or even the threat of sanctions - led to more "work exits", people leaving welfare for employment.
"Evidence from February 2010 ... says the use of sanctions and the threat of sanctions does actually improve working exits. That's what we focused on," Upston said.
Asked why they were relying on older research, rather than MSD's most recent research, both Upston and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the recent welfare statistics and policies showed the previous Government's approach had not worked.
"The statistics, that is the most the strongest empirical evidence," she said.
"70,000 more people are on the Job Seeker benefit at the same time that we've seen a 58% reduction in the use of sanctions. That's evidence enough for me to be deeply worried."
She said this policy would not apply to those receiving Sole Parent Support payments, or people who were deemed unable to work due to disability.
Stuff asked Upston if there was any evidence support this policy, given MSD's own research - from 2018 - said there was scant evidence to show benefit sanctions led to more people getting into work.
Upston responded with a 2010 OECD research paper, showing imposing sanctions - or even the threat of sanctions - led to more "work exits", people leaving welfare for employment.
"Evidence from February 2010 ... says the use of sanctions and the threat of sanctions does actually improve working exits. That's what we focused on," Upston said.
Asked why they were relying on older research, rather than MSD's most recent research, both Upston and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the recent welfare statistics and policies showed the previous Government's approach had not worked.
"The statistics, that is the most the strongest empirical evidence," she said.
"70,000 more people are on the Job Seeker benefit at the same time that we've seen a 58% reduction in the use of sanctions. That's evidence enough for me to be deeply worried."
She said this policy would not apply to those receiving Sole Parent Support payments, or people who were deemed unable to work due to disability.