Sepuloni Carmel; Upston Louise; Kuriger BarbaraHon CARMEL SEPULONI (Labour—Kelston): Over recent years the Government previously had worked hard to always beat their forecasts of unemployment and the numbers of beneficiaries anticipated to come on to benefit and I think when we look back that is very evident. What is the Minister doing now to ensure that that continues and that we don't reach the heights of unemployment that have been forecast?Hon LOUISE UPSTON (Minister for Social Development and Employment): Well of course it's very unfortunate that we are in a position and we have a set of economic conditions that means Treasury has forecast unemployment to grow. That is why we are working at pace to reduce the number of people who are on Jobseeker benefit—and announcements like the one I made today.Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Labour—Kelston): Given that the Kaiwhakaoranga programme has been running for a number of years and the feedback from our Muslim community in Christchurch has been positive with respect to the case management service that they have received through this programme why is the Minister now deciding to cut funding to that programme? What advice did she receive? And what response has she received from the community?Hon LOUISE UPSTON (Minister for Social Development and Employment): It was actually the Minister before me the member who's resumed her seat who ensured that the programme was for five years and early last year the indication and the decision was communicated to the community that it would not continue past the five-year mark. I'm very confident that all of the financial support and assistance that is available today will continue to be available from 1 July and the feedback that I've had from the community is that they are far more confident and capable in their ability to access services that are available.Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Labour—Kelston): Over recent years including the past year the Ministry of Social Development has been very much focused on ensuring that those who need support through the welfare system and are eligible or entitled to that support are getting access to that support. Is the Minister going to continue supporting that work so that everyone who is eligible for welfare assistance is able to access it?Hon LOUISE UPSTON (Minister for Social Development and Employment): Of course.Hon Carmel Sepuloni: What was the answer?CHAIRPERSON (Barbara Kuriger): The Minister said Of course." The Hon Carmel Sepuloni—you've got about one minute remaining.Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Labour—Kelston): Sure. One of the reasons that it's been very important that the Ministry of Social Development has focused on ensuring that people have access to anything they might be eligible to through the welfare system is because we are legally required to through the Social Security Act. What other ways does the Minister think she can ensure that people can get access to their welfare support through the welfare system? [Pause] One more question?CHAIRPERSON (Barbara Kuriger): The Hon Carmel Sepuloni.Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Labour—Kelston): There have been varying levels of investment into social services over recent years particularly in light of some of the unexpected events that have arisen—COVID weather events—and still many of our social services are under pressure because of the cost of living challenges that New Zealand families are facing. Is the Minister planning on investing more into our social services to support them to meet the demand they are experiencing?Hon LOUISE UPSTON (Minister for Social Development and Employment): The first priority of this Government is to address the cost of living crisis so that families aren't under the level of pressure they are under and of course I will always be responding to and listening to any pressure that organisations are under."