Ross Jami-Lee: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRoss Jami-Lee: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 25 June 2014. Volume:699;Page:18859. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]3.JAMI-LEE ROSS (National—Botany)to the Minister of Finance: As part of its wider economic programme what progress is the Government making in dealing with the most challenging social issues facing New Zealand families and children?Hon BILL ENGLISH (Minister of Finance):The Government is making good progress. Much of this is as a result of the Better Public Services targets that the Prime Minister set in place a couple of years ago. By honing public services on specific and measurable objectives such as higher educational achievement better health care less crime and less long-term welfare dependency we are starting to make significant gains on those things that are a feature of long-term deprivation. For example as at the end of 2013 91 percent of babies were fully immunised by 8 months of age and we are on track to achieve 95 percent by the end of this year—much higher immunisation rates than at any time in the last 30 years. We are finding that what is good for communities is good for the Government’s books so we are willing to spend where we can get a pay-off and better results.Jami-Lee Ross: What specific measures did the Government take in Budget 2014 to help New Zealand’s children and families?Hon BILL ENGLISH: As New Zealand is one of a handful of developed countries heading into Budget surpluses we believe it is important that all New Zealanders can benefit from a stronger economy and better Government books. In Budget 2014 we provided five elements of a $500 million package: $171 million to boost paid parental leave by 4 weeks to 18 weeks; $42 million to increase the parental tax credit from $150 a week to $220 a week and increase the entitlement from 8 to 10 weeks; $90 million to provide free doctors visits and free prescriptions for children aged under 13 years; $155 million to help early childhood centres remain accessible and affordable; and $33 million targeted on doing a better job for our most vulnerable children. So although our spending is constrained it is well targeted at where we can get results.Jami-Lee Ross: What other measures has the Government taken to support the most vulnerable New Zealanders particularly those on low incomes facing challenging social issues?Hon BILL ENGLISH: Despite the fact that we have had significant deficits the Government has made a priority of supporting the most vulnerable. The Budget last year for instance included $100 million to extend the home insulation programme $20 million for rheumatic fever prevention $35 million for the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust microfinancing options for those on low incomes and progressing a warrant of fitness for all State houses to ensure they meet basic requirements. In addition the Government is working with other providers to provide free healthy lunches in schools that choose to take part in the programme. This is a range of measures designed particularly to help those who suffer from persistent deprivation.Jami-Lee Ross: What were some of the main social challenges inherited by this Government in 2008?Hon BILL ENGLISH: These were set out comprehensively in the Salvation Army state of the nation report of February 2008. It talked about the rising number of referrals for abused children and increased numbers under Child Youth and Family care. It talked about rising youth offending climbing teenage pregnancy rates and continued educational inequality and it talked about climbing prison numbers. This was all through a period when the economy was growing significantly. All up the Salvation Army said that significant extra Government spending under the previous Labour Government contributed little to social progress. Since then we have been spending less and making a lot more progress.