Muriel Newman wrong on benefit spending
Muriel Newman's claim that benefit spending has increased under the Labour-led government is simply wrong, Social
Development and Employment Minister Steve Maharey said today.
"Muriel Newman is desperate to show that Labour has increased welfare spending," Steve Maharey said. "The figures she's
touting today include superannuation and the veteran's pension. When only benefits are included expenditure has actually
fallen slightly from $3.65 billion to $3.59 billion despite annual inflation adjustments.
"I'm sure most New Zealanders would not classify super and veteran's pension as benefits. Does ACT propose to cut these
entitlements?
"The truth is that there are fewer people on benefits than there were five years ago and the government spends less on
benefits now than it did before the Labour-led government was elected."