7. Question No. 7—Social DevelopmentHon LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō) to the Minister for Social DevelopmentQuestion No. 7—Social Development7. Hon LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō) to the Minister for Social Development: Does she stand by her statements including the statement in the House last week that the proportion of people that are currently unemployed is exactly the same as what it was at this time last year: 9.4 percent."?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development): Malo ni Mr Speaker. I stand by the answer that I gave when viewed in its entirety including answers to the supplementary questions. As I indicated to the House yesterday I accept that I could have caused some confusion for the member and other members of the House by referring to the proportion of the working-age population on a main benefit as the unemployment rate and I do apologise for this. Hon Louise Upston: Why did she include those on sole parent support and supported living payment as "currently unemployed"? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: When I was referring to the 9.4 percent number that I was using in the House that number was specifically in relation to the number of New Zealanders on main benefits. Main benefits includes the supported living payment the sole parent support benefit and the job seeker benefit. Hon Louise Upston: What is the percentage of the population on the job seeker benefit that are in other words unemployed? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: I don't have the exact numbers in front of me but if that member would like to put that question in writing I would be more than happy to answer it for her. Hon Louise Upston: Is the figure of 4.3 percent of the population on the job seeker benefit higher or lower than it was a year ago when it was 4.1 percent?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: The last figures that we received with regards to those that were unemployed were the June figures that came out in August. That figure was 4.5 percent. At the same time last year it was 4.8 percent.Hon Louise Upston: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. My question specifically was about the job seeker benefit. I gave as much detail as I could about the 4.3 percent and whether that is higher or lower than the 4.1 percent.Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Speaking to that point of order Mr Speaker as I said earlier with regards to specific numbers that that member wants I can look them up if she would like to put the question in writing. However I did refer to the actual current unemployment rate which was 4.5 percent in the June quarter and at the same time last year was 4.8 percent.SPEAKER: OK. I know we've had a bit of back and forth around the authentication of questions today but it is my view that if exception hasn't been taken to specific figures—and Ministers might want to caveat their replies as Ministers sometimes do—I think it is possible to address the question as was asked.Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Speaking to the point of order Mr Speaker.SPEAKER: No. We've finished the point of order now. The member will—does the member want the question repeated?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: She can repeat the question.SPEAKER: Repeat the question thank you.Hon Louise Upston: Thank you Mr Speaker. Is the figure of 4.3 percent which is the percentage of the population on the job seeker benefit higher or lower than it was a year ago when it was 4.1 percent?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: The actual primary question is in relation to the figure that I used in the House yesterday of 9.4 percent. If she has specific questions about another figure that she's referring to then she will need to put it in writing because I do not have that information on me."