Latest news with #IncomeGuarantee
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
‘Growth Budget' = Growth In Poverty
Press Release – Green Party More children will grow up in cold, damp homes without food on the table because of the decisions this Government has made today. Christopher Luxon has told New Zealand he doesnt care about child poverty with this Budget. The Government's Budget is failing families in poverty by pulling the rug on young people receiving income support and allowing more children to go without enough food on the table. 'This 'Growth Budget' will result in a growth in poverty, particularly for the vulnerable teenagers who have had support stripped away from them,' says the Green Party's spokesperson for Social Development and Employment, Ricardo Menéndez March. 'The Government has just told teenagers doing it tough that they are on their own. A lot of teenagers having to rely on benefits for support do not have family to lean on – the Government knows this, it just doesn't care. ' Furthermore, documents in the Government's own Budget clearly show it is far off track to meeting the Child Poverty Reduction targets, with over 1 in 8 children living in abject poverty under this Government which is willing to fork out billions for the wealthy, while leaving people in poverty behind. 'More children will grow up in cold, damp homes without food on the table because of the decisions this Government has made today. Christopher Luxon has told New Zealand he doesn't care about child poverty with this Budget. 'We cannot keep doing the same and expect something different. A Green Government will end poverty by ensuring everyone has a liveable income. 'We will end all benefit sanctions and remove barriers to accessing income support, and instead ensure everyone has good lives. 'Our Income Guarantee would mean everyone would have at least $395 a week, and in the case of a sole parent a minimum of $755. Our Green Jobs Guarantee and expanded Jobs for Nature programme will create thousands of jobs to ensure young people have the employment opportunities they deserve. A different Aotearoa is possible and within our reach,' says Ricardo Menéndez March.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
‘Growth Budget' = Growth In Poverty
The Government's Budget is failing families in poverty by pulling the rug on young people receiving income support and allowing more children to go without enough food on the table. 'This 'Growth Budget' will result in a growth in poverty, particularly for the vulnerable teenagers who have had support stripped away from them,' says the Green Party's spokesperson for Social Development and Employment, Ricardo Menéndez March. 'The Government has just told teenagers doing it tough that they are on their own. A lot of teenagers having to rely on benefits for support do not have family to lean on - the Government knows this, it just doesn't care. ' Furthermore, documents in the Government's own Budget clearly show it is far off track to meeting the Child Poverty Reduction targets, with over 1 in 8 children living in abject poverty under this Government which is willing to fork out billions for the wealthy, while leaving people in poverty behind. 'More children will grow up in cold, damp homes without food on the table because of the decisions this Government has made today. Christopher Luxon has told New Zealand he doesn't care about child poverty with this Budget. 'We cannot keep doing the same and expect something different. A Green Government will end poverty by ensuring everyone has a liveable income. 'We will end all benefit sanctions and remove barriers to accessing income support, and instead ensure everyone has good lives. 'Our Income Guarantee would mean everyone would have at least $395 a week, and in the case of a sole parent a minimum of $755. Our Green Jobs Guarantee and expanded Jobs for Nature programme will create thousands of jobs to ensure young people have the employment opportunities they deserve. A different Aotearoa is possible and within our reach,' says Ricardo Menéndez March.
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Social Security Amendment Bill Pushes Poverty On People
Press Release – Green Party The Green Party will repeal all benefit sanctions and lift incomes to liveable levels. We will build an economy that works for all of us, not just a wealthy few, says Ricardo Menndez March. The Government's just-passed Social Security Amendment Bill is set to create more benefit sanctions that will push families deeper into poverty. 'Instead of punching down on the poor like the current Government, we can end poverty and provide everyone with what they need to live good lives,' says the Green Party's spokesperson for Social Development and Employment, Ricardo Menéndez March. 'Calling these new sanctions non-financial is misleading, as they'll still deprive people of the ability to access financial support like hardship grants. It's a disgrace that the Government is pursuing this despite reports New Zealand ranks near the bottom in child wellbeing. 'We have a plan to provide everyone with what they need to live good lives. Our Income Guarantee would ensure all whānau have the basics for a good life and don't fall through the gaps. 'In this country, we have enough to support those who are struggling. Instead of providing the bare essentials for some of our most vulnerable, Christopher Luxon's Government has chosen to prioritise tax cuts for wealthy landlords and tobacco companies. 'The Ministry of Social Development has already admitted their frontline capacity is oversubscribed and unable to properly support people due to the traffic light regime the Government has brought in. This will make things even worse. 'The Green Party will repeal all benefit sanctions and lift incomes to liveable levels. We will build an economy that works for all of us, not just a wealthy few,' says Ricardo Menéndez March.
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Social Security Amendment Bill Pushes Poverty On People
The Government's just-passed Social Security Amendment Bill is set to create more benefit sanctions that will push families deeper into poverty. 'Instead of punching down on the poor like the current Government, we can end poverty and provide everyone with what they need to live good lives,' says the Green Party's spokesperson for Social Development and Employment, Ricardo Menéndez March. 'Calling these new sanctions non-financial is misleading, as they'll still deprive people of the ability to access financial support like hardship grants. It's a disgrace that the Government is pursuing this despite reports New Zealand ranks near the bottom in child wellbeing. 'We have a plan to provide everyone with what they need to live good lives. Our Income Guarantee would ensure all whānau have the basics for a good life and don't fall through the gaps. 'In this country, we have enough to support those who are struggling. Instead of providing the bare essentials for some of our most vulnerable, Christopher Luxon's Government has chosen to prioritise tax cuts for wealthy landlords and tobacco companies. 'The Ministry of Social Development has already admitted their frontline capacity is oversubscribed and unable to properly support people due to the traffic light regime the Government has brought in. This will make things even worse. 'The Green Party will repeal all benefit sanctions and lift incomes to liveable levels. We will build an economy that works for all of us, not just a wealthy few,' says Ricardo Menéndez March.
Scoop
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Green Budget For A Country Worth Fighting For
Press Release – Green Party The Green Budget shows how much better our lives could be under a Green Government, instead of one dominated by corporate greed. 'This is a Budget for a country that belongs to and works for New Zealanders,' says Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. 'We believe in fairness and common sense. A Green Government will rapidly reduce emissions, reduce the cost of living and improve our quality of life. 'That means free GP visits, free Early Childhood Education, free dental care, an Income Guarantee to ensure no one falls below the poverty line, housing for all, a stable climate, clean air, clean water and clean soil. 'We can do this by taxing the wealthiest fairly. 'Or, we can continue to let our infrastructure crumble, kids go hungry and the healthcare system teeter on the edge of collapse, as the Government promises for their Budget next week. 'These are political choices. The Greens choose a country worth fighting for, instead of the Luxon Government's choices seeing New Zealanders leaving in record numbers. 'The Aotearoa we all deserve is entirely within our grasp. Our Green Budget is the detailed map, and in the coming weeks, we will be working with communities across Aotearoa to start our journey to making it a reality,' says Chlöe Swarbrick. NOTES: The Green Party will be releasing its fiscal strategy in the coming weeks in addition to our fully costed Budget. Green Party Co-Leaders and MPs will begin a tour across Aotearoa this month – engaging New Zealanders on Green solutions with town hall events, and supporting communities to organise collectively for change with activist workshops. The tour will start in May, and includes centres from Whangārei, Hamilton, Taranaki, Te Tairāwhiti, Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin and across Auckland. More centres to be announced.
