DPB Numbers Rise In Many Centres
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Figures just released by the Ministry of Social Development show that DPB numbers have risen in many centres over the
past year.
"Nearly half of the Auckland region Work and Income Centres experienced a rise in DPB numbers during 2007," Lindsay
Mitchell, welfare commentator said today. "Typically centres are in the most deprived areas like Mangere, Clendon, Glen
Innes and Manukau. Other rural towns and cities with high Maori populations have also experienced increases - Hamilton,
Hastings, Kawerau and Ngaruwahia for instance."
"While the overall trend in DPB numbers is down, with a 2 percent drop last year, only the most motivated and skilled
are taking advantage of the strong labour market."
"The young, poorly educated and unskilled continue to gravitate to the DPB. Not having experienced stability or security
themselves, the parenting skills of these mothers are often inadequate or absent. Many will become long-term welfare
dependants and so the cycle goes on."
"The overall drop in DPB numbers is masking a much bigger problem. There now exists an entire generation of people who
have only ever known a welfare upbringing. They predominate in poor neighbourhoods where crime, violence, drug and
alcohol abuse are common. "
"The reforms Labour implemented - requiring individual Personal Development and Employment Plans and abolishing
work-testing - are having very little impact in the overall scheme of things. The Minister must now be very concerned
about the resistance to reform many families are exhibiting."
ENDS