11 February 2022
Peter Scott
[FYI request #18160 email]
Tēnā koe Peter Scott
On 12 January 2022
, you emailed the Ministry of Social Development (the
Ministry) requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the
following information:
•
Please advise the percentage of the available workforce that has not
received an unemployment benefit at any time in the past five years. Or
if it is easier the percentage of the available workforce that have
received this benefit.
Jobseeker Support is a temporary benefit paid for up to 52 weeks while clients
look for work, are in training for work or unable to work due to a health
condition, injury or disability. More information around Jobseeker Support can
be found at the following link:
www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-
benefits/jobseeker-support.html#null.
The Ministry publishes Benefit Fact Sheets each quarter, which provides a high-
level view of trends in benefit receipt, including Jobseeker Support. As part of
this, the Ministry has provided information on the percentage of the working
age population receiving Jobseeker Support over the last six years. The most
recent percentages for this can be found in the Benefit Fact Sheet for December
2021, which is available her
e: www.msd.govt.nz/documents/about-msd-and-
our-work/publications-resources/statistics/benefit/2021/benefit-fact-sheets-
snapshot-december-2021.pdf.
Further information about the Benefit Fact Sheets and archives of previous
Benefit Fact Sheets can be found on the Ministry’s website here:
www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-
resources/statistics/benefit/index.html
The principles and purposes of the Official Information Act 1982 under which
you made your request are:
• to create greater openness and transparency about the plans, work and
activities of the Government,
• to increase the ability of the public to participate in the making and
administration of our laws and policies and
• to lead to greater accountability in the conduct of public affairs.
This Ministry fully supports those principles and purposes.
If you wish to discuss this response with us, please feel free to contact
[MSD request email].
If you are not satisfied with this response regarding Jobseeker Support
statistics, you have the right to seek an investigation and review by the
Ombudsman. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or 0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi nui
pp
Magnus O’Neill
General Manager
Ministerial and Executive Services
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