2. Question No. 2—Social Development and EmploymentANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour) to the Minister for Social Development and EmploymentQuestion No. 2—Social Development and Employment2. ANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour) to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What additional Government support will be available for individuals and families from 1 April?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development and Employment): From 1 April the annual general adjustment will come into effect for beneficiaries superannuitants students and working families. The annual general adjustment happens every year on 1 April and is designed to ensure that rates of income support do not fall behind inflation and/or wage growth. We know that we are dealing with a global cost of living crisis and therefore this year the rise in support is larger than most. Couples who receive New Zealand super and veteran's pension will receive an extra $51.42 per week in the hand while working-age people receiving a main benefit will see an increase of between $16.80 and $46.20 depending on the type of benefit and whether they are single or a couple. We know these lifts in income will make a big difference to many households.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: What other assistance comes into force on 1 April?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: On 1 April the Government's changes to childcare assistance will take effect—this includes rises to the childcare subsidy and out-of-school care and recreation subsidy. This reverses a freeze on the income threshold for childcare assistance eligibility that the previous Government put in place in 2010. Our changes will mean 10000 more children will be eligible for support. Two parents both working 40 hours per week on $26 per hour with two children under five will not have been eligible for childcare assistance previously but from 1 April will now be eligible for $360 per week.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: What changes to Working for Families come into effect on 1 April?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: The inflation adjustment to the family tax credit will occur on 1 April. This provides extra relief for the majority of working families. This builds on our previous changes to the family tax credit. It means that a family with two children on a median family income receiving Working for Families is now receiving over $1300 more a year since we took office. If they are also receiving the Best Start payment that figure climbs to over $3600 per year. Supporting New Zealand families with the cost of living is the top priority for the Government. This kind of targeted support reaches those who need it the most.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: What is the overall effect of the Government's changes since 2017?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: This Government moved quickly when we first came into office. We introduced the Families Package and we have lifted benefit rates to historic levels reversing and surpassing the cruel cuts of 1991. When adjusted for inflation benefit levels are now higher than at any time since the 1940s. On average a couple with children on a benefit are $256 per week better off than they were in 2017. There is still more work to do and we're not shying away from putting families first and focusing on what matters most to New Zealanders as we continue to deliver meaningful change in children's and families' lives—especially during these challenging times.Chlöe Swarbrick: Is the Minister aware that two-thirds of tertiary students regularly cannot afford the basics and does she think that an extra maximum of $20 per week on the means-tested student allowance is adequate to bridge that gap?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: As the Minister for Social Development I do not have responsibility for policy for student allowances and student loans. The Ministry of Social Development does administer the student loans and student allowances.