We propose that all people seeking welfare support would apply for Jobseeker Support. This common support would start with the assumption that people can work and would send strong signals about the value of paid work.
• Jobseeker stream – Most people who enter the system and apply for Jobseeker Support would be expected to take steps immediately to move into paid work, including applying for job vacancies. There would be clear signals about the consequences of not actively looking for work and the expectation that any reasonable job offer is to be accepted. A range of targeted support would be available, such as childcare support and job search assistance.
• Transition to work stream – For people with significant vocational and non-vocational barriers to securing and maintaining paid work there would still be the strong default expectation that they would transition into paid work, but there would be a more flexible, tailored approach to take account of their particular circumstances. Work-focused interviews, action plans and work related activity would be fundamental.
What intrigues me about this proposal is that Labour was on this track six years ago.
6821 (2005). Judith Collins to the Minister for Social Development and Employment (27 May 2005): In what ways is the new work-focused service for all beneficiaries expected to underpin, or move towards, the single core benefit?
Hon Steve Maharey (Minister for Social Development and Employment ) replied: The new service model, that is being trialled in 12 prototype sites, extends employment services to all beneficiaries, regardless of benefit type. Delivering services based on individual circumstances rather than benefit categorisation is integral to the concept behind the proposed single core benefit.
And...
3168 (2005). Judith Collins to the Minister for Social Development and Employment (09 Mar 2005): What is officials' current best estimate of the number of add-ons that will be required on top of the single benefit?
Hon Steve Maharey (Minister for Social Development and Employment ) replied: As part of the announcements in February 2005, I outlined three areas of additional support; accommodation, family support and disability. These are the subject of ongoing work.
And...
3162 (2005). Judith Collins to the Minister for Social Development and Employment (09 Mar 2005): Further to written question 2152 (2005), what has been the frequency of meetings of the group comprising senior officials from the Ministry of Social Development, Treasury, Department of Labour, Ministry of Health and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, which provides guidance on the co-ordination of the work programme and options for the development of the Government's plan to introduce a single core benefit, in the last 12 months?
Hon Steve Maharey (Minister for Social Development and Employment ) replied: The group comprising senior officials from the Ministry of Social Development, Treasury, Department of Labour, Ministry of Health and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, which provides guidance on the co-ordination of the work programme and options for the development of the Government's plan to introduce a single core benefit meets fortnightly or as required. The group’s first meeting was held on 13 August 2004. The group last met on 30 November 2004, further meetings are yet to be scheduled. This is also my response to written parliamentary question 3163 (2005) to 3165 (2005) and 3167 (2005).
And finally...
2263 (2005). Judith Collins to the Minister for Social Development and Employment (25 Feb 2005): What are the names and dates of any reports or written advice received during 2000 relating to the idea of a single benefit?
Hon Steve Maharey (Minister for Social Development and Employment ) replied: There are three reports relating to the idea of a single benefit that fall within the scope of the member’s question. These are: * 15 June 2000 Social Assistance: Paper One: The Context and Reconfiguring the Community Wage * 12 September 2000 Social Assistance Strategy: Goals and Work Programme * 1 December 2000 Benefit Design: Social Security Benefits for those of Working Age
So not such a new or radical idea after all. A mass of reports, trials, and high level meetings done and dusted and back to square one.
And just one more question from me.
How much time and money do government and bureaucrats waste?
1 comment:
Like most ACT policies (and National and Labour and Greens) it's socialism. Big surprise.
A range of targeted support would be available, such as childcare support and job search assistance.
we're borrowing 300 Million per week. Who's going to pay for all this "targeted support"? What happens if it's not "available"?
There has been some success with this approach in the UK, in that bludgers on higher benefit rates get shoved down to the Dole in short order. That will make some savings, but nowhere near enough.
And in the entire history of New Zealand, only one minister of finance every cut the Dole. And no, it wasn't Roger, who is after all, a socialist.
And of course the single largest, and longest-term welfare group is completely excluded from this report - beneficiaries over 65 - who currently cost as much as all other bludgers put together.
How much time and money do government and bureaucrats waste?
Who cares? NZ's govt and bureaucrats are basically as cheap and as efficient as you can get: most places are much much worse (including the UK, US, & Aussie by far). The cost of the bureaucracy, parliament, etc, is almost infinitesimally small change. There are no large savings to be made in efficiency. The only way to save billions, tens of billions is to eliminate entire programmes. Basically each of these four cost around $12Bn: health, education, welfare (excl super) and super.
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