Business NZ says welfare reform may strenghten economy

Lobby groups against poverty say the latest slew of changes to welfare undermine beneficiary parents and penalise their children. The Government has announced the first stage of welfare changes that will be introduced to Parliament next month. The legislation will require sole parents on the Dependent Purposes Benefit to look for part-time work once their child turns five - and full-time work once they turn 14. The chief executive of Business New Zealand, Phil O'Reilly, says the issue of welfare reform needs to be debated without prejudice.