7117 (2026). Hon Willie Jackson to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

7117 (2026). Hon Willie Jackson to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: How many working-age recipients (aged 18–64 years) of Jobseeker Support who had declared each previous occupation category (using the Ministry of Social Development’s standard occupation classification, including all occupation groups and any “Not stated” or “Unknown” categories) had been receiving Jobseeker Support for (a) less than 3 months, (b) 3 months to less than 6 months, (c) 6 months to less than 12 months, (d) 12 months to less than 24 months, and (e) 24 months or more, as at the most recent date available, and how many were there in each case as at 27 November 2023?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised that the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) is unable to provide the information sought by the member within a written parliamentary question timeframe. As this information has not previously been published, providing the information to the Member would require the Ministry to investigate whether the information can be generated, and if the data is accurate, which would take substantial effort and time, diverting Ministry staff from their core duties. In accordance with Speaker’s Ruling 210/6, I consider that the time and hence the expense, of answering the Member’s question is not in the public interest.