One in Eight.
The number of working-age Kiwis on a main benefit.
I am the one in ten
A number on a list
I am the one in ten
Even though I don't exist
Nobody knows me
Even though I'm always there
A statistic, a reminder
Of a world that doesn't care
Songwriters: Ali Campbell / Brian Travers / Earl Falconer / Jim Brown / Michael Virtue / Norman Hassan / Robin Campbell / Terrence Oswald Wilson.
One in Ten.
That song was released by UB40 back in mid-1981.
The title, “One in Ten”, refers to the proportion of the workforce claiming unemployment benefits in the band's home region of the West Midlands when the song was released.
A protest against Margaret Thatcher at a time when inequality was rising in the UK, after the rug had been pulled out from under the mining and manufacturing industries, devastating the affected regions.
Here in New Zealand, we saw the images on our TV screens: the depressing scenes of a weary-looking Britain, with picket lines and high streets full of businesses that had closed.
My generation also saw it in comedies like The Young Ones, which ran from 1982 to 84, and left us in no doubt that it was all Thatcher’s fault…
…even as the libertarians lurking in our soon-to-be elected Labour Party drooled at the prospect of doing similar to “modernise” the New Zealand economy.
The neoliberal nightmare spread around the world. In Reagan’s America, Roger and Ruth’s New Zealand, and Thatcher’s Britain, many were put out of work, and then they cracked down on those who needed support by pressuring them pointlessly to try harder to find jobs that didn’t exist.
Any of this sounding familiar? I don’t mean can you remember the Young Ones, or even McPhail and Gadsby:
I mean right here, right now, in Luxon and Willis’ New Zealand.
Rising unemployment, people struggling to pay their bills, and a loss of hope, even as the leaders claim that the pain will all be worth it in the end.
One in Eight.
Under this government, we have seen large numbers of public servants culled by Ministers who stand there and absurdly claim that services will not be affected.
We’re seeing construction companies struggle to fill their pipeline and laying off tradespeople, even at a time when the country desperately needs infrastructure.
From 1 News on Thursday:
“Two-thirds of builders are struggling with lower demand as the construction sector faces widespread job losses and new concerns about coming workforce shortages.”
How mental is that? Paying people a benefit rather than utilising them to address urgent maintenance and new development?
However, Construction Minister Chris Penk has indicated that the government does not intend to intervene and said, “he was hopeful demand would soon pick up.”
Shouldn’t there be more of an economic plan than hope? It all sounds a bit “Thoughts and Prayers” to me.
From Stuff:
“The proportion of the working-age population receiving a main benefit is up to 12.5%, just over 400,000 people.”
That represents a 6.6% increase compared to the previous year, making it somewhat challenging to take the government’s economic claims seriously.
And if you think 12.5%, or one in eight, sounds bad, imagine how much worse it would be if we weren’t seeing such large numbers of Kiwis simply giving up and heading across the ditch. According to Stats NZ, “In 2024, New Zealand experienced a record net loss of its own citizens, with 47,100 more citizens leaving than arriving.”
Unemployment continues to rise. Food prices are out of control, although 1 News this week did its best to put a positive spin on that…
Price rises under Labour are called a cost-of-living crisis.
Under National, we’re told it’s good for the country—real subtle 1 News.
From that report:
“In the 12 months to June, milk was up 14.3% annually at $4.57 per two litres, butter was up 46.5% annually at $8.60 per 500 grams, and cheese was up 30% annually at $13.04 per 1 kilogram block.”
And Nicola Willis still hasn’t talked to Fonterra, I guess it doesn’t pay to rush these things. Still, never fear, One News rolled out an economist who said these high prices were good for the country, although he didn’t sound that convincing.
Naw, don’t you love a bit of patriotic price gouging?
Let’s be honest, the only trickle-down effect from the dairy sector is the impact on our environment. We’re told we have to pay more because of the growth in demand for dairy in markets like China - cool, but will they pay for the damage caused by the industry or bail out farmers as the longer-term impacts of that sector hit?
Louise commented, “That was appalling and I shouted at the tele and called that man a very rude word! What utter nonsense!”
Nonsense indeed, as are the claims that National has given us lower interest rates due to having gotten inflation under control - seriously?
Aside from low inflation, the primary reason a central bank lowers interest rates is to stimulate a stagnant economy, which may not be as positive a signal of strong economic management as this government would have you believe.
Kick ‘em while they’re down.
Of course, the second part of the old Tory two-step is that once you’ve knocked people down, taken their jobs through your cuts and policies, you then need to transfer the blame onto them.
So, it becomes all about the people who have been put out of work needing to try harder to find a job, even as unemployment continues to rise.
This week, it was also announced that, despite jobless numbers increasing, punitive measures on those requiring assistance were growing even faster.
Usually, Minister Upston looks horrified, presumably by the things she’s doing, but in this photo, just how excited is she about surging benefit sanctions?
"C'mmmonnnnnn!!!!!!!"
From Stuff:
“Benefit sanctions increased 27.1% to 13,200. The ministry's snapshot said the main reasons for unfulfilled work obligation sanctions were clients not attending appointments, like seminar appointments, or failing to prepare for work.”
Minister Upston said, “Despite challenging economic conditions, the Government has been relentlessly focused on getting New Zealanders into work.”
So, chin up, to all those who find themselves out of work through no fault of their own. A little more “relentless focus” and you can do it.
Green Party Social Development spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March said, “It's no wonder people are fleeing the country in droves with this Government punishing people for being unemployed at a time when there are little to no jobs.”
“This is blatant cruelty dressed up as policy. People deserve to live in dignity and to be supported in times of need, not punished.”
Bang on, Ricardo; these people have no idea what it’s like to live on a benefit and fail to understand that the vast majority of people on one would far rather be in work.
Others had comments about Louise’s sanctions…
Beckie: “She's the Minister For Punishing The Poor. Revolting woman.”
Alan: “Was at the local WINZ office yesterday. Was told by security guard that all offices now have three guards on the door as the number of frustrated clients has increased since the change of government.”
Robin: “How can anyone think that taking money off the extremely impoverished is a winning strategy?”
Katie summed it up, “They create more unemployment and then punish those on a benefit.”
That’s National, knock you down, complain when you fall, and then give you a good, hard kick rather than a hand up.
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Ngā mihi,
Nick.
To end today, here are UB40 with One in Ten:
I always hated the term "benefit". It personifies the idea that it is a handout, not support and protection in hard times. Louise Upston is the most gruesome Minister in a while, including Paula Benefit.
You'd think Nicola would be able to contact someone in Fonterra, surely still has a few former work contacts in her phone?