7. Question No. 7—Social Development and EmploymentDr HAMISH CAMPBELL (National—Ilam) to the Minister for Social Development and EmploymentQuestion No. 7—Social Development and Employment7. Dr HAMISH CAMPBELL (National—Ilam) to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What reports and forecasts if any has she seen on the number of people receiving the jobseeker support benefit?Hon LOUISE UPSTON (Minister for Social Development and Employment): There are now nearly 190000 New Zealanders on the jobseeker benefit meaning almost 90000 more compared to September 2017. This includes an increase of 20000 in the last year alone. The fact that jobseeker benefit numbers consistently increased during prolonged periods of widespread labour shortages means the welfare system has not done enough to shift people into work. Benefit dependency is a major challenge our Government must and will tackle as these figures show. We will help people move from welfare into work so people have more opportunities.Dr Hamish Campbell: What reports has the Minister seen on the number of 18- to 24-year-olds on the jobseeker benefit and why is the coalition Government strongly focused on supporting young people into work?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: There are now 40000 people aged 18 to 24 on the jobseeker benefit. This represents an increase of 16000 people or a 66 percent increase compared to six years ago. This is important because the earlier someone moves on to benefit the greater the risk they become dependent on welfare. Young people under the age of 25 on welfare are estimated on average to spend 21.3 years on benefit. By acting sooner to help at-risk young adults we will break vicious benefit-dependency cycles. Dr Hamish Campbell: What reports has the Minister seen on the number of children growing up in benefit households and what's the implications of this data?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: There are now 222000 children growing up in benefit-dependent households an increase of 44000 compared to six years ago. Benefit dependency affects not only those trapped on benefits but also their children whose outcomes are worse when they grow up in benefit-dependent households. We owe it to both adults and children to do more to improve their prospects. Dr Hamish Campbell: What forecasts has the Minister seen about the number of people on the jobseeker benefit if we continue the same welfare approach?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: Concerningly forecasts predict that by January 2025 there will be 198500 people on the jobseeker benefit. The current welfare system settings are not helping New Zealanders to reap the opportunities and rewards that work provides. Even though we have a challenging economic environment we are not content to stand by and allow New Zealanders to languish on welfare and watch their potential be wasted.Dr Hamish Campbell: Will the coalition Government aim to reduce the number of people on the jobseeker benefit and if so why?Hon LOUISE UPSTON: Of course yes. The coalition Government believes a job is the best way out of dependence best path to independence and greater opportunities. We will be working hard to help people into work. We will be making changes to the welfare system to enable New Zealanders to reap the opportunities and rewards that work brings.