The Government's consider new ways to help beneficiaries return to work without them falling back on the state for support.

A new report has found nearly half of those who left the welfare system to work ended back on the benefit within 18 months.

The Minister of Social Development Carmel Sepuloni says that the research tells us that much more needs to be done to ensure work is sustainable.

Spokesperson for Beneficiary Advocacy Federation of New Zealand Kay Brereton says that is the result of our flexible labour market.

“Welfare maintains a reserve labour force, and this what happens with a reserve labour forced. When they are needed, they are used, and when they aren’t, they are put back on welfare.”

LISTEN TO KAY BRERETON TALK WITH LARRY WILLIAMS ABOVE