The Council of Trade Unions says with more unemployment looming, Work and Income rules on benefits for people in relationships need to be scrapped. On Jobseeker Support, couples can only earn up to $90 a week between them before it starts affecting the amount that is paid. Basing access to income support on total family income is not how we treat couples for tax, or for accident compensation, or for NZ Super. Remember that being on a welfare benefit is not pleasant experience and entails a raft of obligations that Work and Income impose. Last week, the Council of Trade Unions and First Union added support to an open letter to the prime minister calling for the relationship rules to change.

Source: Stuff April 30, 2020 16:52 UTC