ISSUE
Friday, August 15, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 72
I believe very strongly in the welfare state. When I was growing up, my mother was on the Widow’s Benefit for a time and we lived in a state house. I’m really grateful for the opportunities the welfare state gave me.
But as a country, we need to have a hard look at where the welfare system has got to. I don’t think our welfare system today is what its architects had in mind.
That’s why National has a new approach to reduce long-term benefit dependency.
Our first step is focused on young people. We are making this group one of our priorities. It is worth investing more money up front, when these kids are young, to get them back on track.
The changes I announced are in two parts.
First, we’re putting in place a system of guidance and support for all disengaged 16- and 17- year olds.
Schools will be required to tell us when a 16- or 17- year old leaves during the year. We need to keep track of these young people, so we can intervene early to help those most at risk of ending up dependent on welfare.
We’ll then fund organisations such as NGOs and private providers to support and mentor these kids. We are going to walk alongside these kids to help them back into some form of education, or training so they are better placed to move into the workforce, and not onto a benefit. That’s why we’re also boosting the number of places in training such as the Youth Guarantee and Trade Academies.
Second, we’re going to provide comprehensive and concentrated support for these vulnerable teens. We’re going to take a more hands-on approach to young people on benefits, with the exception of those on the Invalid’s Benefit.
This includes helping them manage their money within their budget. We’re also going to make sure they meet their obligations, which includes getting into education, training or work. And we are going to ensure they attend programmes if required, such as budgeting or parenting programmes.
This is the first of our changes to the welfare system. We are working our way through the extensive list of recommendations from the Welfare Working Group’s report, and we’ll be announcing more policy soon.
I’m confident these extra support services, balanced with fresh expectations for young people to be in education, training or work will make a difference.
I believe very strongly in the welfare state. When I was growing up, my mother was on the Widow’s Benefit for a time and we lived in a state house. I’m really grateful for the opportunities the welfare state gave me. But as a country, we need to have a hard look at where the welfare system has...
I believe very strongly in the welfare state. When I was growing up, my mother was on the Widow’s Benefit for a time and we lived in a state house. I’m really grateful for the opportunities the welfare state gave me.
But as a country, we need to have a hard look at where the welfare system has got to. I don’t think our welfare system today is what its architects had in mind.
That’s why National has a new approach to reduce long-term benefit dependency.
Our first step is focused on young people. We are making this group one of our priorities. It is worth investing more money up front, when these kids are young, to get them back on track.
The changes I announced are in two parts.
First, we’re putting in place a system of guidance and support for all disengaged 16- and 17- year olds.
Schools will be required to tell us when a 16- or 17- year old leaves during the year. We need to keep track of these young people, so we can intervene early to help those most at risk of ending up dependent on welfare.
We’ll then fund organisations such as NGOs and private providers to support and mentor these kids. We are going to walk alongside these kids to help them back into some form of education, or training so they are better placed to move into the workforce, and not onto a benefit. That’s why we’re also boosting the number of places in training such as the Youth Guarantee and Trade Academies.
Second, we’re going to provide comprehensive and concentrated support for these vulnerable teens. We’re going to take a more hands-on approach to young people on benefits, with the exception of those on the Invalid’s Benefit.
This includes helping them manage their money within their budget. We’re also going to make sure they meet their obligations, which includes getting into education, training or work. And we are going to ensure they attend programmes if required, such as budgeting or parenting programmes.
This is the first of our changes to the welfare system. We are working our way through the extensive list of recommendations from the Welfare Working Group’s report, and we’ll be announcing more policy soon.
I’m confident these extra support services, balanced with fresh expectations for young people to be in education, training or work will make a difference.
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