10. Question No. 10—Social DevelopmentHon LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō) to the Minister for Social DevelopmentQuestion No. 10—Social Development 10. Hon LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō) to the Minister for Social Development: Is the Government considering changing the principles of the Social Security Act 2018 in response to the Welfare Expert Advisory Group including the principle that work in paid employment offers the best opportunity for people to achieve social and economic well-being"?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development): As I've said previously in the House and as outlined in the publicly available Cabinet paper the welfare overhaul work programme will include a review of the principles and purpose of the Social Security Act in response to the recommendations in the Welfare Expert Advisory Group report. This is currently under way and I am unable to provide more details on the potential for changing the principles at this stage. In saying that this Government believes that for those who are able finding a job that is sustainable and meaningful is important for long-term wellbeing. That is why this Government has invested an additional $76 million in employment-focused case managers $26 million to support people with disabilities or health conditions into employment and nearly $50 million into Mana in Mahi. This reflects how seriously we take our responsibility to support people into employment.Hon Louise Upston: Does the Minister believe that paid work best supports people to achieve social and economic wellbeing and if not why not?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: I think that where people are able paid work does have an absolute role in supporting their social and economic wellbeing. What we do know though is that over 50 percent of those that are in the welfare system on main benefits have a health condition or disability of some sort or are caring for someone with a health condition or disability of some sort. Therefore it is much more complicated than just doing what the previous Government did which was saying that everyone must get off benefit and into a job. We absolutely support everyone who is able to be earning learning volunteering or caring and all of the policies that have been announced by this side of the House in the last two years reflect that commitment.Hon Louise Upston: Does the Minister agree with the Minister of Finance who said and I quote that "everyone who wants to work should be able to."?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: I often—and more often than not—agree with the Minister of Finance. Can I also say that actually for even those that have barriers to employment—and let me refer again to those that have disabilities—we've seen the evidence to show that they do want to work. Something like 74 percent of those with a disability on a main benefit expressed the fact that they wanted to work. But there are barriers in their way to sometimes accessing that employment. So rather than stigmatise those on benefit this side of the House is committed to breaking down those barriers and making that investment so that those opportunities are opened up to all New Zealanders where they are able to work.Hon Louise Upston: Is it now her Government's approach for those on jobseeker benefit to choose if they want to work or not?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: That member consistently underestimates the people that are in the welfare system. The vast majority of people who enter into the welfare system actually want to work and that is the starting point for us on this side of the House. Can I just say we are committed to helping and supporting those that are able to get into meaningful and sustainable employment. We see the role of the welfare system to support with income support where that's required but equally to provide people with opportunities to employment. And I think actually this side of the House is doing a much better job than what the previous Government did."