Half of arrest warrants are for people on welfare

The Herald reported:

Figures released under the Official Information Act reveal more than 5500 beneficiaries were issued with warrant-for-arrest notifications between July 2013 and September last year.

The policy was implemented as part of the welfare reform changes on July 15, 2013, with people with outstanding arrest warrants no longer able to receive a benefit.

It was estimated of the about 15,000 people subject to an arrest warrant, more than half of them – about 8200 – were on benefits.

And up until last year you could carry on claiming your benefit, despite being effectively a fugitive from justice.

Work and Income deputy chief executive Debbie Power said the Government was committed to stopping the benefits of people who had not resolved their warrant to arrest.

Excellent.