Finance Minister Grant Robertson has defended the Government's new income relief package.

From June 8, people searching for work or re-training can receive $490 a week if they lose full time work and $250 for part time workers.

The 12 week support scheme can be accessed by anyone who lost their job after March 1.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson told Mike Hosking they're looking at how it would work beyond the pandemic.

He says policy work is underway around whether we should be moving to what other countries have, which is a form of employment insurance or social insurance, paid out when people lose their jobs.

Regarding discussions about a four-day week, Robertson told Mike Hosking it was a good time for employers to consider it but it wasn't something the Government was pushing.  A possible extra public holiday was still a work in progress.

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