Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) is standing behind figures it has published which show the Government has cut over $2.8 billion out of the Working for Families (WFF) budget since 2010. These figures were disputed by the Finance Minister Steven Joyce in Parliament on 10 May 2017 although no alternative numbers to justify his claim were given.
Associate Professor Susan St John, CPAG economics spokesperson, says the figures proving these cuts are publicly available in government Budget papers so Mr Joyce’s claim that the figures are “unlikely to be correct” is hard to work out.
“Budget figures show that in 2009/10 Government spent almost $3.1 billion at 2017 dollar values on WFF. The 2016 Budget promised to spend just $2.4 billion” Dr St John says.
“We have just re-checked our figures and estimate that the total value of WFF cuts since 2010 has in fact been over $3 billion.” says Dr St John.
“By a cynical sleight of hand, Government has deliberately reduced vital assistance for children by subtle adjustments to thresholds and other entitlement rules.
“These cuts have affected families in low-paid, full-time work and are quite contrary to Bill English’s claim to want to look after “hard working” New Zealanders. CPAG says the budget must find around $700 million extra per annum to restore WFF to the 2010 value.
But that just covers ‘working families’. To honour Mr Key’s claims on Election Night 2014 that his Government was concerned about child poverty, CPAG says it is time to stop denying the poorest children access to the full package.
This means an additional $500m is required.
“It is time for Government to step up. CPAG awaits the 2017 budget with high expectations.” says Dr St John.
