Say What?!

MORE research. This was released yesterday by the Ministry of Social Development, from their Research News, Issue 5, October 2006;

The research, part of the Centre for Social Research and Evaluation's ongoing living standards programme, found that, while income is important, sustainable employment, education and assets are also key to achieving good living standards.

"One example of this," says Deputy Chief Executive of Social Development Policy and Knowledge, Marcel Lauzière, "is that people on benefit were found to have lower living standards than working people with comparable incomes. While income can certainly help improve our living standards, this research demonstrates the importance of sustained employment, as well as higher levels of education, home ownership and assets accumulation."

So? There are plenty of jobs. Get rid of the benefits.