Lindsay Mitchell
Lindsay Mitchell has been researching and commenting on welfare since 2001. Many of her articles have been published in mainstream media and she has appeared on radio, tv and before select committees discussing issues relating to welfare. Lindsay is also an artist who works under commission and exhibits at Wellington, New Zealand, galleries.
While there will not be another quarterly release of benefit numbers prior to the election, limited weekly reporting continues and is showing an alarming trend.
Because there is a seasonal component to benefit number fluctuations, it is crucial to compare like with like. In the 10-week period to September 15, 2023, the number of people on a main benefit has risen by 6,768 or almost two per cent, whereas in the 10-week period ending September 16, 2022, the numbers were virtually flat with a very small decrease of 141 recipients.
The finance minister Grant Robertson continues to insist the economy is in good shape. This real time indicator would strongly suggest otherwise.
Eighty-five percent of the increase is in Jobseeker Support. In turn, over a third of the increased Jobseeker Support is in those receiving Jobseeker/Health Condition or Disability.
These are people who could be working if they could access health treatments.
The detail about the nature of their health conditions is not provided in weekly updates but quarterly trends point to psychological/psychiatric conditions playing a large part.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins claimed in the TV1 leaders debate that the health system is not in crisis. He also constantly boasts about “record low unemployment”.
Make of it what you will.
But these numbers don’t lie and in the past 10 weeks thousands more have lost jobs or become too sick to work.
It must be deeply upsetting for them to hear the Prime Minister willfully ignoring their plight; indeed, denying their very existence.
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