Rurawhe Adrian; Warren-Clark AngieSocial Development and EmploymentCHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe): We now come to the debate on social services and employment and I welcome the Hon Carmel Sepuloni to the chair. This will be led off by the chair of the Social Services and Community Committee.ANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee): Thank you Mr Chair. It's my pleasure as the chair of the Social Services and Community Committee to commence the debate for this portion of the annual review 2019/20. The Social Services and Community Committee covers a large range of areas: social development; social housing; income support; women children young people; the disability sector; seniors; Pacific peoples; ethnic communities; art culture and heritage; sports and recreation; broadcasting; and the voluntary sector. Our consideration was grouped into sectors and reports we've written combine most sectors. We invited and had participation by a large number of Ministers creating a thorough review process. I want to thank the Ministers for their participation in the review process. Select committee scrutiny is a foundation of our democracy and the accountability of the executive. I also thank the Office of the Auditor-General; officials from the many ministries; our Parliamentary Service staff for organising these logistics and their report writing; and finally to all the members who make up our select committee and those members who sub on also.This debate will cover the subject of social development and employment with the Minister the Hon Carmel Sepuloni. As part of Budget 2019 we heard that the Government invested $1.3 billion into the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) over four years having built on the $5.5 billion Families Package. There are approximately 8000 staff at the MSD who in a typical year provide direct support to between 1 million to 1.5 million New Zealanders and their families. There are approximately 180 offices across New Zealand. We heard main benefits are now indexed to average wage growth abatement settings were changed and section 192 of the Social Security Act was repealed. The Minister told us about the investment into front-line staff and their strong focus on moving people into employment. The ministry spoke about the expansion of work for the staff due to COVID-19 hardship to support businesses and workers. Support included rolling out the wage subsidy to protect 1.7 million jobs or incomes; the increased income support package of $2.8 billion including a $25 increase in base benefits; double winter warmth payment and broadened eligibility for in-work tax credits; removal of stand-down periods; funding in-home childcare for essential workers; an increase in special needs grants; and $27 million for community social services to respond to COVID-19.We asked about feedback from employers and about investigations regarding wage subsidies. We heard about changes implemented as a result of this feedback. COVID-19 impacts on employment were a focus but we were also interested in jobseeker support—actual and projected numbers plus exits; Flexi-wage including delays to the extension of this programme; He Poutama Rangitahi He Poutama Taitamariki support for work Mana in Mahi programmes—and those numbers were canvassed.Support for victims and perpetrators of family and sexual violence and the appropriation for community support services—we heard and asked about the Minister's Whānau Resilience programme. We sought an update on progress on the recommendation of the Welfare Expert Advisory Group. The Auditor-General was satisfied that the information audited fairly represented the ministry's activities. However a non-standard audit report was issued due to the effect of COVID-19. The overall assessment remains unchanged and good. Thank you Mr Chair we look forward to hearing from the Minister.