Children lifted out of poverty
Fewer children are living in poverty - but working-age singles are increasingly the new poor, according to the Social Development Ministry. And the gap between rich and poor appears to be narrowing for the first time in decades, the ministry says in a report. The government-commissioned survey shows that while the median household income grew by 6 per cent in real terms between 2004 and 2007, the incomes of those in the low-to-middle band went up the fastest, at 12 per cent, compared with just 2 to 4 per cent for those on higher incomes. The Government's Working for Families boost to low- and middle-income families with dependent children is a major factor - Social Development Minister Ruth Dyson said it was a key driver behind the survey finding that 130,000 children had been lifted out of poverty. More people in paid work was the other reason. The survey describes poverty as a situation in which a household is excluded from "the minimum acceptable way of life in one's own society because of inadequate resources".
To be fair to Labour, they have done a lot to lift a large chunk of NZ out of poverty and working for families is a positive and strong policy, but the issue is still with beneficiaries, the poorest of the poor. Other than scrapping market rentals, Labour haven’t done anything to really make the lot of those on the bottom of the heap much better, in fact all things taken into account they are worse off than they were in the 1980s. I understand why Labour haven’t done much, anything that could be interpreted by the right wing as making life anything other than intolerable on a benefit is talkback reacted to with ‘Political Correctness gone mad’ bile, but that’s no excuse to let those on the lowest rung of the ladder to fester and go feral.
I agree, working for families has been an excellent initiative, Labour should be congratulated.
ReplyDelete"is still with beneficiaries, the poorest of the poor."
Unfortunately you can only help those that help themselves. Why throw could money after bad? The vast majority of sickness beneficiaries I know are perfectly capable of working, they simply don't want to. For example I know one whose wife works 12 hours a day in rest home kitchen AND looks after the kids, does all the housework etc while he sits and collects his benefit and plays World of Warcraft all day, he has no real medical problems that would stop him working.
Another lady who lives on my street who is around 50, approaching morbid obesity, has five kids to three different men and has never worked a day in her life and regularly turns down offers of free training/work placement schemes.
Doctors and WINZ both know at least 50% of those on sickness benefits are really physically capable of some sort of work but prefer not to.
I'm all for helping the needy, and of course sickness benefits are obviously needed for some but some people need to make the first steps on their own.
I understand why Labour haven’t done much, anything that could be interpreted by the right wing as making life anything other than intolerable on a benefit is talkback reacted to with ‘Political Correctness gone mad’ bile,
ReplyDeleteOne of your more pathetic posts.
Labour, the party currently in government, isn't helping poor people because of the vast right wing conspiracy? Utterly ridiculous, it didn't stopp them from passing the EFA did it? or Anti-smacking legislation or the civil union act? All of which were opposed by those evil right wing talk back listeners you hate so much, yet when it comes to helping the really poor, a group you lefties are supposed to be the champions of - oh well that's the right wingers fault.
Grow up.
The report was commissioned by the Government. How about an independent report where the authors have no obligation to Labour? Kind of how the Police Complaints Authority is part of the Police. Due to this bias I don't believe a word of the report.
ReplyDeleteWe have too many beneficiaries and bludgers who get a free ride in life. Too many people with no ambition, the idle and loafers of this world.
ReplyDeleteThe welfare should be restricted to people in real need. All other parasites should be looking for work.
"bluders", "free ride" "no ambition".
ReplyDeleteIs that you Crosby?
If what you are saying is true then why is the government opposing the extension of working for families to beneficieries in a court case brought by community activist groups. If anybody deserved additional help it would be the poor in Otara instead of middle classes.
ReplyDeleteThis is another example of where bomber rhetoric gets caught out by reality.
Better luck next time.
Beneficiaries receive ALL their income from the Government. Working for Families recipients get it to top up their PERSONAL income from working.
ReplyDeleteSee the difference?
NS
As someone who can't have children I ask:
ReplyDelete"Where is my Money??"
I work hard, I pay my taxes and my bills. I obey the law of the land and yet I get nothing in return. Well I get to watch the straight people murder their children and get away with it. So I ask:
"Where is my Money?"
Rather than 'reports' maybe Bomber could tell us some facts as he sees them first hand.
ReplyDeleteHave you found the beneficiary families you have befriended, or are related to, are getting worse off or better off. The poor familles you work with directly, are they better off or worse off, are they happier or sadder.
Do you find that your poor friends and relatives need more support from you to make things a bit easier, do you invite them to lunch a bit more often to ease the food bill, take the kids out for the day more regularly. When you take them out, or to your home, do you find you buy them necessities now (shoes, clothes etc) rather than luxury items like toys or computer games etc.
As ‘uncle’ Bomber have you changed what you do for the poorer children you help to care for and support.
Do you find you select who is worth helping, do some of your poor friends and relatives seem a waste of time and whatever you try to do it doesn’t really help, maybe even makes things worse, do you find some families in your personal life easier to help than others, have you found some so frustrating that you give up.
I think people getting personally involved who are preapred to welcome people in as genuine family and friends is what many people yearn for. That direct support us especially good for children I think. NZ has an 'uncle' type scheme I believe, how have you found that Bomber. Have you just become an uncle to one child or have you been able to take on more.
Persoanlly I don't like children but I am curious how uncle/aunty scheme is working out. I would imagine parent (expecially those on their own) would find it a great help to have someone come in and take the kids for the weekend now and then, even better if they come home with new shoes.
If your experince has been postive if might encourage other people to give it a go.
I knew one chap (he was educated, white and middle class but a good genuine man none the less) when he cut his work hours back he started helping some poorer kids with after school maths classes. He started with one boy after someone asked for his help, then it grew until he has a few I think – he does it for free but some of the families give him small gifts now and them to show their appreciation.
ReplyDeleteHe feels good about it most of the time, other times kids and their families have taken advantage of him and he considers giving it up but the good seems to outweigh the bad and he has persevered.
If maths is not your thing how about an after school fitness/sports group, you might find it motivates you Bomber, time to lose weight and get fit and set a better example to the people around you.
So rather than look to governments, churches, charities (in fact anyone but ourselves) maybe those who purport to care should set an example. Who the hell wants to be a charity case, or the subject of a report, people need genuine friendship and support.
We don’t engage personally anymore do we, its all at least arms length, rather sad really. So instead of concentrating about what everyone else should do ask if you are doing all you can, there are lonely, neglected kids everywhere have a look around you.
That little baby in that photo look absolutely terried about the vampiric PM hovering over him/her.
ReplyDelete"terrified"
ReplyDelete