Beneficiary debt hits new high

Beneficiary debt has reached an all-time high, and the National party believes all that is being offered is excuses.

Latest figures reveal beneficiary debt now totals more than $763 million.

National party welfare spokeswoman Judith Collins says as prices for food and petrol go through the roof, Labour should at least be offering its beneficiaries budgeting advice.

She says instead, they are standing by and allowing debt to spiral out of control.

Ms Collins expects the debt to blow out to well over a billion dollars in just a few years.

- NEWSTALK ZB