MEDIA RELEASE

Monday 28 March

The Vulnerability Report - Impoverished families and angry children

Today’s Vulnerability Report shows families cannot afford any cuts to essential social services. This report, released today, shows that more and more families are finding they cannot provide the essentials for their children and are seeking support from social service agencies. Trevor McGlinchey from the NZ Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) says that this is impacting on our young peoples’ ability to achieve their potential and resulting in anger and tension in families.

“The many, many families who are either on benefits or have had their incomes seriously reduced because one parent has lost their job, or because of reduced hours, are finding life incredibly stressful”, says McGlinchey. “They are unable to pay their rent and bills and put good food on the table, children don’t get access to the opportunities that once existed because there is no money for sports subs, tuition fees and pocket money”.

“The queues for foodbanks, for budget advice, for emergency housing and for family counselling were the highest they have ever been – even before February 22nd, now the pressure across all of New Zealand is at boiling point”, says McGlinchey. “We need a Budget that delivers jobs and provides for more community based services so that stressed out families get the support they need.”

He said NZCCSS is committed to a fairer and more equal country where all New Zealanders, particularly our children and young people, get the opportunities they need to develop into healthy and contributing members of our society.

“NZCCSS members will continue to work closely with families and vulnerable people. We are heading for an incredibly difficult winter and we must find ways to support our impoverished families, children and young people,” says Trevor McGlinchey. “We are looking to the Government to help us provide this additional support”.
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