Reforms involving New Zealand's welfare system will be announced by Prime Minister John Key and Social Development Minister Paula Bennett early this afternoon at a press conference.The government said late last year there was scope to reduce the
Reforms involving New Zealand's welfare system will be announced by Prime Minister John Key and Social Development Minister Paula Bennett early this afternoon at a press conference.
The government said late last year there was scope to reduce the number of people receiving benefits by supporting them back into work and tightening rules covering the ability of people to roll over their benefit arrangements.
Ms Bennett talked about wanting to reduce the number of people claiming an invalid's benefit, but said no one would be forced back into work.
Mr Key said there were roughly 85,000 people receiving invalids' benefits, some of whom could at least be supported back into part-time work.
Ms Bennett said last month that reforms would also consider requiring unemployment beneficiaries to periodically show they had tried to find work before being allowed to retain benefits.
An upside for beneficiaries included a proposal to increase the amount they could earn through part-time work without it leading to a reduction in their benefit.
The government had intended working on welfare reforms soon after winning the 2008 election but the recession and a steep spike in unemployment led to it delaying the process.
