Latest fromSocial Welfare
<i>John Armstrong:</i> At last, Key's Govt shows some spine
John Armstrong writes that the backbone displayed by Brownlee and Bennett will please the National traditionalists, but we'll have to watch it bend again in election year.
<i>Susan St John:</i> Govt's sums on welfare savings don't quite add up
Susan St John, associate professor in the economics department of the University of Auckland Business School and spokeswoman for the Child Poverty Action Group, questions the results claimed for new rules on benefits.
Wife of former gang boss admits fraud
An ex-gangster's wife has admitted using documents to dishonestly claim $12,000 from taxpayers.
Some welfare reforms do breach rights, says Bennett
Paula Bennett admits that part of her welfare reforms breach the Bill of Rights Act but says it would not bother most people.
Attorney-General: Welfare changes in breach
Work testing sole parents on the DPB is an unjustifiable breach of human rights, Attorney-General Chris Finlayson told Parliament today.
Welfare reforms to add pressure to unwilling workers
Long-term unemployed, sickness beneficiaries and single mothers on the DPB with children over six are about to come under extra scrutiny under new Govt reforms.
Minimum wage - the $15 question
More than 150,000 people have petitioned to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, but Act says $12.75 is already too much. Simon Collins investigates.
Fraudster who stole babies' identities loses appeal
A man who stole the identities of dead infants to commit benefit fraud gave himself up after 16 years on the run.
Tough welfare laws loom this year
New laws to make sole parents look for work after their youngest children turn 6 will be phased in over several years, the Govt says.
Family still on struggle street after Key leaves
The mother of the 12-year-old girl John Key took to Waitangi three years ago says she feels let down by the Prime Minister.
Beneficiary loses luxury wheels
A sickness beneficiary with a taxpayer-subsidised state house was instead living in an upmarket Auckland suburb and driving luxury cars worth $250,000.