Benefit numbers down

nThe number of New Zealanders on a benefit fell by 12,531, or 3.6 per cent, last month. This is on top of a drop of nearly 10,000 in February. Unemployment Benefit figures have fallen below 60,000 for the first time in 11 months. Encouragingly, the number of young people on the Unemployment Benefit has fallen by 4 per cent over the past year. This is higher than the overall decrease in the Unemployment Benefit. However, benefit numbers are expected to increase as a result of the 22 February earthquake. The Government’s Earthquake Support Package is currently supporting Cantabrians who have lost their jobs, so benefit numbers are not yet reflecting the earthquake. More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/benefit-numbers-not-yet-reflecting-earthquake