The National Government is closer to doubling its jobseeker target than meeting it.
“This Government has a target of reducing jobseekers by 50,000 by 2030, but they are already closer to doubling that number than meeting it,” Labour social development spokesperson Willie Jackson said.
“They have added almost 28,000 to the people asking for help while they find work, which means the target is now 78,000, or roughly the entire population of Rotorua.
“The Ministry of Social Development is now forecasting that, at best, there’ll be over 181,000 jobseekers in June 2029, meaning National will have to kick at least 40,000 people off jobseeker in six months if they are to meet their 2030 target.
“They are doing nothing to help people find jobs. More people are out of work, more people are seeking support, and more people are giving up and leaving the country.
“It is a complete double standard from National to make finding a job harder, then sanction people or cut support when people on jobseeker can’t find work.
“It’s time this Government started creating jobs instead of cutting them and making the economy worse. National is putting people into such dire circumstances they are left with no option but to seek support,” Willie Jackson said.