This claim is rubbish

The Dominion Post reports Social Development Minister David Benson-Pope saying, The Government was paying out $1.2 million a year less in benefits than in 1999. I was wondering why he would be crowing about such a paltry amount until I checked his press release which actually gives a figure of $1.2 billion. Slight typo on the DomPost's part.

Nevertheless I am very surprised at this claim.

The Crown Accounts Analysis for June 2006 isn't due for release until November but last year's showed the following;

1999 $12,429 (million)
2000 $12,483
2001 $12,681
2002 $12,838
2003 $13,110
2004 $13,352
2005 $13,448

If Benson-Pope is right the next figure should be $11,229.

There is no way that could happen. Even if all unemployment benefits were removed the total would only drop to $12,596.

I suspect the DomPost reporter's typo is closer to the mark.