From tomorrow over 1.4 million New Zealanders are expected to receive a little extra to help with the cost of living as a result of changes made by the Government.
โAcross the world inflation is causing costs to rise and New Zealand has not been immune. Thatโs why the Government is focused on helping kiwi families with extra cost of living support,โ Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said.
โIn tough times, itโs critical we support those who are struggling the most to make ends meet.
โRight now, people need our support more than ever and an inflation-adjusted lift in the minimum wage, superannuation, benefits, veteranโs pensions and student supports will help more than a million New Zealanders.
โThere is more to come, with the Best Start payment increasing, the Winter Energy Payment going to all beneficiaries and superannuitants from 1 May, and Child Support will be passed on to Sole Parent Beneficiaries from 1 July.
โFrom tomorrow, the nurses pay agreement worth $200 million annually will mean that nurses in aged residential care, hospices, home and community support services, along with those in Mฤori and Pacific healthcare, will have up to 15% more in their take home pay.
โChanges to childcare also come in tomorrow. It means more than half of New Zealand families with kids are now eligible for subsidised childcare assistance and makes another 10,000 children eligible for the Childcare Subsidy who werenโt before. It means more parents will be able to afford childcare and before and after school care.
โWe will continue to make the cost of living and bread and butter issues our priority as we navigate tough economic times. Today demonstrates our commitment to that,โ Chris Hipkins said.
Minister for Social Development Carmel Sepuloni said this Governmentโs record over the past five years shows we have prioritised income adequacy and lifting the standard of living for New Zealanders.
โToday represents another step on that journey. Including the changes coming in tomorrow, the amount paid to a couple receiving Superannuation or the Veteranโs Pension has increased by $326.68 total per fortnight since 2017, and the rate for a single person, living alone on Superannuation has increased by $212.34 per fortnight since 2017.
โA couple with children who are receiving a main benefit will be better off by $256 per week on average than they were in 2017. And a sole parent is better off by $180 per week.
โIn addition during the winter months all those receiving Superannuation or other assistance get $20-$30 a week more with the Winter Energy Payment, making sure they can afford to have the heater on and stay warm and well.
โAnd the median wage has increased by nearly a quarter since we came into Government, by 23.85%.
โThese are big shifts and demonstrate our Governmentโs commitment to supporting New Zealanders. We know that there is more to do, but our record over the last five years shows we are committed to doing whatโs right for all,โ Carmel Sepuloni.
This rise is so big due to Labours policies pushing up inflation so high it is not a gift from Labour it is the law.
Everyone except those who actually work and pay tax.
This is comical. I own a business that supplies grocery stores and I will be moving prices up to offset wage costs which will in turn increase the retail price in the grocery stores. I promise you, the big brands will be doing the same.
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