Labour’s families package announced last week will reduce the number of children in poverty by 88,000 by 2021. Photo: Getty ImagesEmergency hardship grants are at record levels because basic welfare provisions have been “methodically” squeezed, the Child Poverty Action Group says. “The first task is to examine the underlying values and principles that would be at the foundation of policy changes,” it says. “The investment approach appeared to support a methodical unravelling of the remaining welfare safety net,” it says. The number of special needs grants (SNGs) jumped by 38%, and their cost almost doubled from $17 million to $38 million, between the September quarters of 2015 and 2017.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 16, 2017 21:00 UTC