1849 (2024). Hon Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

1849 (2024). Hon Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What evidence, if any, does the Minister have that sanctions are effective in moving people to benefits?

Hon Louise Upston: I am answering the members question based on the intent that the question is about moving people off the Jobseeker Support benefit and into work. The most compelling empirical evidence in New Zealand is that during the previous Government's tenure, the number of people receiving the Jobseeker Support benefit increased by 70,000. At the same time, sanctions applied for breaches of work-related obligations substantially declined (35,250 fewer when comparing 2017 to 2023), despite substantially more people being on the Jobseeker Support benefit. Moreover, there were prolonged labour shortages during this time, meaning job vacancies existed for people to shift into.