2. Question No. 2—Social Development and EmploymentANAHILA KANONGATA'A (Labour) to the Minister for Social Development and EmploymentQuestion No. 2—Social Development and Employment2. ANAHILA KANONGATA'A (Labour) to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What support is the Government providing to help New Zealanders with their winter energy costs?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development and Employment): On 1 May the winter energy payment started rolling out once again to over 1 million New Zealanders. For people receiving New Zealand superannuation a main benefit or veteran's pension they will receive an extra $20.46 per week if they are single with no dependent children or an extra $31.82 per week for couples or people with children from now until October. This is the sixth year where low-income and older New Zealanders have benefited from this Government's winter energy payment. This extra boost will provide more cost of living relief over the winter months. Anahila Kanongata'a: Who benefits from the winter energy payment? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Around 1.2 million adults receive the winter energy payment every year. The payment goes to those receiving New Zealand superannuation a main benefit or veteran's pension. This Government introduced the winter energy payment to boost people's incomes over winter to help with the cost of heating so that they could have a warm home and help to prevent respiratory illnesses during the winter season. We therefore targeted the winter energy payment to older people because they are more susceptible to ill health in winter and beneficiaries as they are more likely to be on the lowest incomes.Anahila Kanongata'a: What difference does the winter energy payment make?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: The winter energy payment provides a boost of $450 in total for single people with no dependent children and $700 for couples or those with dependent children over the winter months. Analysis has suggested that those who received the winter energy payment spent more on energy were more likely to say their income meets their needs required less hardship assistance and experienced improvements in some health and wellbeing outcomes. On top of that we've heard directly from people who have received it that this payment means they can afford to have a warm house and avoid getting ill.Anahila Kanongata'a: What else has the Government done to support New Zealanders with the cost of living?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: We introduced the winter energy payment as part of the Families Package in 2017 which also included the Best Start tax credit and increases to the family tax credit and accommodation supplement. Since then we have continued to increase support available to families through increasing access to childcare assistance further increases to Working for Families lifting the minimum wage increasing main benefit rates and increasing dental grants. As a result of this Government's changes 356000 beneficiaries will be better off by on average $142 per week during the 2023 winter period compared to 2017 policy settings including 109000 families with children who are better off by $222 per week on average. As I've said before in this House at this time of year Winter is Coming"."