Jack Daylight came to protest against welfare reform because he wants a job. He was arrested yesterday outside the Ministry of Social Development's office in Auckland.

Former MP Sue Bradford and four others will appear in court on Friday after a protest action at the Ministry of Social Development's Auckland regional office today.

Ministers agree a cross-party approach to address the issue of deaths from sniffing butane-based solvents is needed, but are passing the buck on who should lead it.

Toby Manhire says slash a parent's benefit and you hurt their children - children who, chances are, already have it extremely tough. To argue otherwise is fantasyland.

The Government has done nothing to stop a "lost generation" of youths from killing themselves by sniffing butane-based solvents, the Chief Coroner says.

Dr Andrew Cardow says Paula Bennett appears to be working under the belief that beneficiaries do not have the wherewithal to decide what is best for their children.

Editorial: Early education has not been a priority for this Government. But having made it compulsory for beneficiaries National will find it hard to argue against wider compulsion.

Editorial: A simple breakfast is not much to ask and should be provided for all children who need it. But if it is to be public funded, the food should be distributed by agencies that know a community.

Drug testing of beneficiaries will come into force next year, with penalties for those who fail tests.