8. Question No. 8—Social Development and EmploymentJAN LOGIE (Green) to the Minister for Social Development and EmploymentQuestion No. 8—Social Development and Employment8. JAN LOGIE (Green) to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Does the Salvation Army having to distribute more than 110000 food parcels last year show that income support is not yet enough for people to live with dignity?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Deputy Prime Minister) on behalf of the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Income adequacy has been a core part of our overall welfare programme. The Stats New Zealand report released earlier this week showed that prior to COVID-19 we were making good progress in increasing incomes and reducing material hardship including through the $5.5 billion investment in the Families Package increases to the minimum wage the removal of excessive benefit sanctions lifting benefits by $25 per week and indexing them to the average wage making the largest change to abatement levels in two decades removing the hours test for the in-work tax credit and ongoing investment in training and apprenticeship programmes. All of this shows the Government's real commitment to addressing income adequacy and ensuring people can live in dignity but we do acknowledge there is always more to do.Jan Logie: What actions will she take to protect the wellbeing of children in benefit-dependent homes especially now that there are around 23000 more of them?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: On behalf of the Minister what I would say is that has been a particular focus for the Government. I note that for sole parents with children they are now around $105 a week better off than they were before the last three years of the Government. We know that we have got more work to do there but we're pleased with the progress that we're making and we continue to look at all options that are available.Jan Logie: Does she agree with the Salvation Army that The changes made to income support and welfare policy to date do not seem to be sufficient"?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As I said before what I would say in response to that is I believe we have made good progress. I think when you look at numbers like $105 per week for a sole parent being better off that is a significant contribution. I do think during the COVID period we've seen highlighted to us again the importance of looking again at income adequacy. Quite clearly the significant impact of a recession falls on the lowest-income people. We lifted benefits by $25 a week in March last year as a result of knowing that that was the likely situation New Zealand would be facing and we will continue to look at further options.Jan Logie: What actions from the Welfare Expert Advisory Group recommendations to improve the wellbeing of New Zealanders will be completed this year?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: On behalf of the Minister I'm sure the member appreciates that a detailed question like that would need to be put down in writing. What I can say is we've made good progress on around about 22 of the recommendations and we continue to use that report as the blueprint for our response. Jan Logie: Will she consider a guaranteed minimum income to seriously reduce poverty and also to give effect to the Labour Party's 2020 manifesto commitments to increase income support and simplify and reset the foundations of the welfare system and if not why not?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: On behalf of the Minister the Minister stands by the Labour Party's manifesto commitments in 2020. At this point there is no plan for a guaranteed minimum family income.Hon Stuart Nash: Is the Government considering any changes to abatement rates for those on a benefit so they can earn more without losing any of their benefit entitlements?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Not just considering that; we've actually done it. This week we have announced that that will increase to $160 and will be largest increase in two decades. It is very important that we ensure that people can take part-time work on and not be discouraged from doing that because they think that their benefit will abate so quickly."