5733 (2024). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

5733 (2024). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Further to her answers to Oral Question no. 9 on 10 April 2024, where, if at all, does the Taylor Fry report support the Prime Minister's statement on 8 April 2024 that the average under 25 is on the benefit for 24 years?

Hon Louise Upston: I refer the member to my answer to oral questions on 10 April 2024, which provides the full context of the Prime Minister's statement: 9. RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH (Green) to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Does she agree with the Prime Minister's recent statement that the average adult now is on the benefit for 13 years on average, and the under-25s are on the benefit for an average of 24 years? Hon LOUISE UPSTON (Minister for Social Development and Employment): Yes, in its full context. The Prime Minister was referring to independent evidence produced by Taylor Fry in 2022 which reported that someone on the jobseeker benefit is expected to spend 13 years on benefit throughout their lifetime. The same evidence shows someone on a youth benefit is expected to spend 24 years on benefits throughout their lifetime.