Slowing growth in benefit claims indicates the economy is holding up better than expected, an economist says. The Ministry of Social Development (MSd) figures showed over the week to July 24, an additional 1478 people went on to a jobseeker support benefit or Covid-19 income relief payment. As at last week, there were 212,397 people on either a jobseeker support benefit or income relief payments. Supplied Economist Brad Olsen says the economy is doing better but still not great. Olsen said in the short term there would likely be more activity in the gig economy as businesses navigate through uncertainty.

Source: Stuff July 31, 2020 02:48 UTC