Latest news with #SocialDevelopmentandEmployment
Scoop
16-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Job Seekers Move Into Work
Minister for Social Development and Employment More than 80,700 people moved off a main benefit and into work in the last financial year, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. 'Despite challenging economic conditions, the Government has been relentlessly focused on getting New Zealanders into work. It's encouraging that 80,000 Kiwis were able to kick start new roles over the past 12 months and there will be more to come.' Overall, MSD stats released today show that as expected in the current economic climate, the overall number of people receiving a benefit has increased, ahead of a forecast decrease from December. The number of people receiving a main benefit in June 2025 (406,128) increased by 7,965 (2.0 percent) compared to March 2025 (398,163). The number of people receiving Jobseeker Support in June 2025 (216,009) increased by 6,171 (2.9 percent) compared to March 2025 (209,838). 'Over the last three years, MSD have traditionally seen a trend of more people coming onto benefit in the March to June period,' Louise Upston says. 'It's likely this is partially because there's less seasonal work around during the winter months.' 'MSD is continuing to provide great support to job seekers on the frontline. Our Government has increased the number of people in case management at any one time from 60,000 to 70,000 people. 10,000 of those are getting help through a new phone-based case management service. That's more people getting more support. 'We've got 2,100 more places for young people to get community job coaching, more regular work seminars, employment plans to help people get ready for work, and a traffic light system to help them stay on track with their obligations. 'People now also have to reapply for their benefit every six months, instead of just once a year. This gives MSD an extra opportunity to support them into a job. 'We know some Kiwis are still doing it tough while the economy recovers, but we're working as hard as possible to get New Zealanders off welfare and into work,' Louise Upston says. Notes:
Scoop
15-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Getting More Kiwis Into Jobs
Hon Louise Upston Minister for Social Development and Employment Jobseeker beneficiaries will be the focus of the Government's employment programmes over the next three years, says Minister Louise Upston. Minister Upston has welcomed an updated Ministry of Social Development employment investment strategy which runs through to June 2028, describing it as overdue. 'Prioritising beneficiaries into jobs should always be the employment focus for MSD but unfortunately that hasn't always been the case,' Louise Upston says. 'This updated strategy makes it crystal clear MSD needs to be consistently focused on the job seekers already on benefits and getting them sorted first because that's where they can make the most impact. 'I've also instructed MSD that it needs to work in more targeted ways, particularly when it comes to young people. 'That's important because recent forecasts show that people under the age of 25 on Jobseeker Support are estimated to spend an average of 18 or more years on a benefit over their lifetimes - 49 per cent longer than in 2017. 'This is a human tragedy. We need to focus on the potential of one of New Zealand's most powerful assets - our young people - and get them straight into first jobs. 'Frontline MSD staff do work hard in this area, and I know case managers working directly with clients is where MSD can make a real difference. This strategy reinforces that approach. 'Employment case management is important and should also be straightforward and practical. It can include something as simple as helping someone get an up-to-date CV, through to passing a driver licence. 'The Government continues to support MSD's frontline staff - this year, Budget 2025 invested in retaining 490 frontline staff to help deliver vital employment services. 'Preventing young people getting stuck on a benefit will also be vitally important as we go on. Already in this term, we've introduced a new phone-based employment case management service which includes 6,000 18-24-year-old clients, we've got 2,100 more places for young people to get community job coaching, more regular work seminars, and a traffic light system to help them stay on track with their obligations. 'And just in the past weeks, MSD has kicked off a series of regional employment events, bringing together employers, providers and community organisations focused on a common goal – getting people into work. 'I'm also attending those events and hearing first-hand what's needed to support employers, and job seekers. Our Government is determined to get Kiwis into jobs, grow New Zealand businesses, and grow the economy.'
Scoop
01-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Increased Accountability For Jobseeker Support
Minister for Social Development and Employment From today, people getting Jobseeker Support will need to reapply every 26 weeks (six months), instead of just once a year, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. 'This previously signalled change increases accountability, while also improving opportunities for jobseekers,' Louise Upston says. 'Reapplying for their benefit more often makes sure people receiving Jobseeker Support engage with MSD more regularly. Frontline staff are then able to check people are doing everything they can to find a job and prepare for work, while getting the right kind of support from MSD to make that happen. 'It also gives MSD another opportunity to assess people's eligibility and make sure they understand what they need to do to stay on track with their obligations while receiving a benefit. 'We know getting back into work produces better outcomes for people and their families. Reapplying for Jobseeker Support every 26 weeks instead of 52 is a realistic expectation, as part of the Government's initiatives to actively support people off welfare and into employment. 'Having to apply only once a year was a significant gap and didn't help either jobseekers or the MSD staff working with them.' Changes have also been made to the reapplication process to make it easier for many people reapplying. If they've recently interacted with MSD about their job search, for instance, they may be able to complete their reapplication online without needing an appointment. 'The improved reapplication process means less time repeating information and more time focusing on support to overcome barriers to work,' Louise Upston says. Notes: For people already getting Jobseeker Support on 1 July 2025, the date they will need to reapply depends on when their benefit was last granted and their situation. Some clients will reapply at 52 weeks from when their benefit was last granted where they are current subject to annual income charging, and then every 26 weeks after that. 26-week reapplications were introduced as a part of the suite of changes made by the Social Security Amendment Act 2025.
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
New Sanctions Drive Benefit Accountability
Press Release – New Zealand Government Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says the Money Management and Community Work Experience sanctions can apply to a first obligation failure while getting a main benefit, such as Jobseeker Support. Hon Louise Upston Minister for Social Development and Employment From today, beneficiaries failing to meet the obligations they agreed to can expect two new measures to encourage people off welfare and into work. Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says the Money Management and Community Work Experience sanctions can apply to a first obligation failure while getting a main benefit, such as Jobseeker Support. 'From today, Money Management means people who don't comply may have half their main benefit put on a payment card for four weeks. This is a sensible move,' Louise Upston says. 'The card can only be used at approved shops for groceries, transport, health, and education-related items. People will continue to get the remainder of their main benefit, as well as any supplementary assistance (such as for ongoing accommodation costs), directly into their bank accounts. 'Community Work Experience means people with work obligations who don't comply may have to find and participate in at least five hours of community work experience per week at one or more community or voluntary sector organisations, for four weeks. 'Also from today, it's now mandatory for some people, and their partners, to have a completed Jobseeker Profile before their benefit can be granted. 'And an obligation failure will now count against a person for two years, instead of one. 'These very fair and reasonable sanctions will allow clients to continue receiving their full benefit, instead of the 50 per cent reduction they would have experienced with a financial sanction,' Louise Upston says. The introduction marks the launch of the second phase of the Traffic Light System. The first phase was launched last year to help clients better understand their obligations and what they need to do to stay on track. 'The new sanctions will ensure accountability in the welfare system for people who don't meet their obligations, while also recognising that reducing benefits isn't the answer for everyone. 'Around 98 per cent of beneficiaries are complying with their obligations – those who don't are the ones who need to consider the increased consequences. 'Overall, these changes will ensure we have a welfare system proactively supporting those who can work to get off the benefit and into employment. This will contribute to the Government's target to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support by 2030,' Louise Upston says. The Minister again recognised the efforts of frontline MSD staff working with job seekers. 'I thank MSD staff who have undergone training to support clients around the Traffic Light changes. We know the faster we can help beneficiaries find suitable employment, the better the outcomes for them, their families, our communities, and our economy.' Two more non-financial sanctions, Report Job Search and Upskilling, will become available to some clients in October this year, further expanding the Traffic Light System. Notes: Non-financial sanctions will only be available to clients for a first obligation failure if they are in active case management or have dependent children. If they do not meet this criteria, they will have a financial sanction imposed as before. These clients will also need to have an appointment with MSD within 5 working days and meet any other eligibility criteria. MSD staff will consider a client's circumstances before imposing a non-financial sanction, to ensure it is the most appropriate option for the client. Young people getting Youth Payment or Young Parent Payment will be assigned a Traffic Light colour, so they can easily see if they're on track with their obligations. No other Traffic Light System-related changes will apply to these clients or young partners with youth activity obligations.
Scoop
25-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
New Sanctions Drive Benefit Accountability
Press Release – New Zealand Government Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says the Money Management and Community Work Experience sanctions can apply to a first obligation failure while getting a main benefit, such as Jobseeker Support. Hon Louise Upston Minister for Social Development and Employment From today, beneficiaries failing to meet the obligations they agreed to can expect two new measures to encourage people off welfare and into work. Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says the Money Management and Community Work Experience sanctions can apply to a first obligation failure while getting a main benefit, such as Jobseeker Support. 'From today, Money Management means people who don't comply may have half their main benefit put on a payment card for four weeks. This is a sensible move,' Louise Upston says. 'The card can only be used at approved shops for groceries, transport, health, and education-related items. People will continue to get the remainder of their main benefit, as well as any supplementary assistance (such as for ongoing accommodation costs), directly into their bank accounts. 'Community Work Experience means people with work obligations who don't comply may have to find and participate in at least five hours of community work experience per week at one or more community or voluntary sector organisations, for four weeks. 'Also from today, it's now mandatory for some people, and their partners, to have a completed Jobseeker Profile before their benefit can be granted. 'And an obligation failure will now count against a person for two years, instead of one. 'These very fair and reasonable sanctions will allow clients to continue receiving their full benefit, instead of the 50 per cent reduction they would have experienced with a financial sanction,' Louise Upston says. The introduction marks the launch of the second phase of the Traffic Light System. The first phase was launched last year to help clients better understand their obligations and what they need to do to stay on track. 'The new sanctions will ensure accountability in the welfare system for people who don't meet their obligations, while also recognising that reducing benefits isn't the answer for everyone. 'Around 98 per cent of beneficiaries are complying with their obligations – those who don't are the ones who need to consider the increased consequences. 'Overall, these changes will ensure we have a welfare system proactively supporting those who can work to get off the benefit and into employment. This will contribute to the Government's target to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support by 2030,' Louise Upston says. The Minister again recognised the efforts of frontline MSD staff working with job seekers. 'I thank MSD staff who have undergone training to support clients around the Traffic Light changes. We know the faster we can help beneficiaries find suitable employment, the better the outcomes for them, their families, our communities, and our economy.' Two more non-financial sanctions, Report Job Search and Upskilling, will become available to some clients in October this year, further expanding the Traffic Light System. Notes: Non-financial sanctions will only be available to clients for a first obligation failure if they are in active case management or have dependent children. If they do not meet this criteria, they will have a financial sanction imposed as before. These clients will also need to have an appointment with MSD within 5 working days and meet any other eligibility criteria. MSD staff will consider a client's circumstances before imposing a non-financial sanction, to ensure it is the most appropriate option for the client. Young people getting Youth Payment or Young Parent Payment will be assigned a Traffic Light colour, so they can easily see if they're on track with their obligations. No other Traffic Light System-related changes will apply to these clients or young partners with youth activity obligations.
