"New" policy from Luxon, National

[Lilith7]

Except it isn't new at all, its the very same tired old 'get tough on beneficiaries'. 
They want to 'help' young people into work, which would be fine if they'd just do something which really would help, such as perhaps free courses so younger people can learn new skills which may enable them to get a job. 
But claiming young people 'don't want to work' & must be punished if they don't find a job isn't really helpful.


https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/08/07/luxon...ew-policy/

"National leader Christopher Luxon has announced a plan to support unemployed youth into personalised job coaching sessions - or face benefit sanctions - as part of new welfare policy announced at his party's annual conference.
"National thinks that if you’re young and you can work, you should. And if you can’t find a job, you need encouragement to keep taking active steps till you get one," the party leader said.


"To young people who don’t want to work: You might have a free ride under Labour, but under National, it ends."



Under the new policy, National said it would offer a $1000 bonus to a person who is under 25, has been on the benefit for 12 months or longer, and who then starts work and stays off the benefit for the next year.



"Those who blatantly do not follow their agreed plan - meaning they don’t turn up for courses, don’t apply for jobs or don’t engage with their jobs coach - will face sanctions."

Speaking to the media, Luxon said implementing the policy could mean reducing MSD's resourcing: "Whatever it takes to get an outcome, we're going to do it. And if that means we're going to be powering down MSD resources and budgets, and redirecting that very strongly into community organisations - we will do that."


That last comment could be taken to mean they'd stop paying a benefit if someone fails to find work; I hope they have more sense than that, if not empathy. It all sounds like their old 'work for the dole' scheme from years ago.



https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/...s-say.html


The Green Party's spokesperson for social development, Ricardo Menéndez March, said thousands of families will go hungry and cold under National.

"Forcing people into employment, no matter how unsuitable, isn't the answer. Increasing benefit sanctions will simply push people into hardship and criminalise families who need support. And National continues to wilfully ignore the reality that many people on jobseeker benefits have health conditions and already do critical work such as caregiving and in the community."

Menéndez March said the Greens are focused on enabling people to fully participate in their communities and meet their aspirations.

"By ensuring people have liveable incomes we ensure they have the opportunities to go into training, to look after their families and pursue education," he said.
"The changes the Greens will make will lift people out of poverty and unlock what everyone needs to live a good life. We have a track record of advocating for liveable wages and good working conditions that would help build a fairer, more equitable Aotearoa where everyone has what they need to provide for their families, a roof over their heads, and food on the table."



Sepuloni said young people aren't getting a "free ride" under the current Government - something that Luxon asserted was happening.

"How we view young people is as a group of people that have potential. If they're on welfare and they're in the welfare system, then we want to make sure that they get access to the support that they need to be able to realise that potential," she said.

"Things like 49,000 people getting an apprenticeship boost, over 5000 now in Mana in Mahi, and one-third of the nearly 18,000 on flexi-wage are young people as well. Those are the types of investments that actually help young people get ahead."