Latest fromSocial Welfare
The end of stay-at-homes?
It seems hard to escape the conclusion that the UK government has opted, in effect, to end any fiscal advantage to staying at home with young kids.
Switch people to dole, says Treasury
About 80,000 people now on sickness and invalid benefits could be shifted on to the unemployment benefit under radical welfare reforms.
Tongans raise $600k for quake appeal
Two radio-thons held in Tonga over the past week have raised almost $600,000 for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Fund.
<i>Deborah Hill Cone</i>: Lose the fat, pump up the motivation
Never mind the cheaper carrots, try a few workouts instead.
<i>Bernard Hickey - </i> The free market god doesn't exist
I feel like a priest who has been wrestling with his belief in god...
Off to work...but there's a job at home too
Manurewa mother Lisa Bowden wants to work but she faces the classic solo parent's problem - who will look after the children?
Thousands picked as work guinea pigs
Work and Income officials have selected just over a tenth of the country's 43,000 sole-parent beneficiaries with no children under 6 to be the guinea pigs for a work-testing scheme starting today.
<i>Gill South</i>: Doing it rough for the night
Fundraiser to aid the homeless gives executives the chance to do good, and be better role models.
Recession still a reality for the poor, says Obama
US president Barack Obama says he doesn't care that the country's recession has been 'offically' declared over.
Canterbury quake: Residents kicked out of damaged flats
Twenty-three people have reportedly been evicted from quake-damaged council flats without warning.
Midnight subsidy for quake-hit businesses
The first round of quake-affected businesses signed up to the Government's wage assistance package will see money in the bank tomorrow.
Dita De Boni: Navigating work as a solo parent
Dita De Boni on how the welfare reforms might impact solo parents.
Some earthquake-hit workers to get subsidy
The Government has stepped in with an emergency wage subsidy for quake-stricken workers who aren't being paid.
Changes to child support system
The Govt will introduce mandatory automatic payments as it seeks to crack down on what is now $2b in overdue child support.
<i>Brian Fallow</i>: Income splitting hardest on poor
Peter Dunne's bill is unfair, unaffordable and unlikely to happen, writes Brian Fallow.