Mother in ad owed more

WELLINGTON - An unemployed woman with seven children, whose plight was broadcast in a Labour Party television advertisement, has discovered she should be getting benefits of at least $637 a week.

In the ad, Catherine Holloway told Labour leader Helen Clark that she paid state house rent of $310 a week and had $40 to $50 left to live on.

Social Services Minister Roger Sowry said last night that Ms Holloway should be getting $637.09 a week and her 19-year-old student son $98.58. Their household income should be $735.67.

Mr Sowry criticised the ad last week, saying he could not believe the figures were true. Labour accused him of making a "callous attack" on Ms Holloway.

On TV One last night, Ms Holloway said she had not known she was entitled to the benefit total quoted by Mr Sowry.

The minister said he would ask why Ms Holloway had not received the benefits she was entitled to and she would get back-payments.

- NZPA