Jobseeker benefit numbers up 11% in a year

The latest MSD data shows the number of people receiving a jobseeker benefit has increased by 13,000 or 10.9% in the last year.

And it isn’t evenly spread. The increase by key demographics is:

• Maori +14.6%
• Pasifika +15.9%
• Under 25s +13.7%
• 25 – 40 year olds +16.7%

And even bigger growth with hardship assistance. The special needs grants are up 45% and advances up 53%. The Government is doing a great job isn’t it.