Benefit rise won’t fix problem

The Labour Government is aiming to raise benefits by $22-$53 a week. While this is commendable it will make little difference to those at the lower end of the economic ladder because by the time it is paid out inflation will have negated the rise.

The price of housing is way beyond reach, rents continue to rise to an astronomical level with little regulationary inspection of standards despite law changes or consequences for bad tenants. Prices at the supermarkets are creeping up. Items costing $8.50 a few months ago now cost $10. With beneficiaries and wage and salaried earners on a fixed budget, all the 50c, $1 and $2 price rises impact hugely on the total shop. To the wealthy, these piddling amounts will not even be considered as they continue to label the “dole bludgers” and “privileged superannuitants”.

Throwing small increases to individuals will never enable people to rise out of poverty , reach a liveable target or even reduce the inequality. It will just take more from the tax take, put more money into moteliers’, landlords’ and supermarket pockets. An increase will lead to more smokers and alcohol use, with the poverty stricken able to gamble, buy more drugs and alcohol with which to try to alleviate their miserable lives.

Throwing money is no use. The only solution is to fix the problem and this requires more courage than any government has shown.

Marie Kaire, Wha¯nga¯rei.