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Labour set to announce Families Support Package

Author
Gia Garrick,
Publish Date
Tue, 11 Jul 2017, 8:05AM
Labour Leader Andrew Little said today's announcement will focus on those who are most in need. (Getty)
Labour Leader Andrew Little said today's announcement will focus on those who are most in need. (Getty)

Labour set to announce Families Support Package

Author
Gia Garrick,
Publish Date
Tue, 11 Jul 2017, 8:05AM

Labour's answer to the Government's budget day Family Incomes Package is to be revealed this afternoon.

Leader Andrew Little said they're looking specifically at Working For Families and the Accommodation Supplement in what they're calling a Families Support Package.

It's set to be announced at 1pm and he said it will be a lot different to what was in the Budget.

"The overarching principal is that we don't see the associated tax package as being justified when it puts $400 million in the pockets of the top 10 per cent of earners - we're just not going to do that."

He said today's announcement will instead focus on those who are most in need.

"We know that there are a lot of families, a lot of households, who have been doing it tough - they do need extra income support."

The Prime Minister believes helping families is less about the exact package you deliver, and more about an economy that continues to grow.

Bill English was asked how he thought Labour's families package might differ from the one they set out on Budget Day.

He said they've got the same tools to play with, but ultimately it's about an ability to sustain growth to deliver more benefits down the track.

"If we can stay on track with sustained growth in the economy, good expenditure control then within a reasonably short number of years we could have a similar type of package again."

Yesterday Labour promised to help pensioners and beneficiaries pay their winter power bills if they lead the next Government.

The Winter Energy Payment will be $700 for couples and parents with children at home and $450 for single people.

Mr Little says around a million people will benefit from the policy, which has been costed at $374 million.

"Around 1600 New Zealanders die each year because of cold housing - that's four times the road toll," he said on Monday.

"It's time for a fresh approach to fix this."

 

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