National release welfare policies

RADIO NEW ZEALAND: People getting an unemployment benefit for more than 12 months would have to be reassessed under a National government.

Leader John Key was outlining the party's benefits policy in a speech at the Papakura Returned Servicemen's Association on Monday afternoon.

Of the 17,710 people receiving an unemployment benefit, 30.4% have been out of work for more than a year.

They would have to reapply for their benefit within 12 months of National taking office.

Mr Key also announced that people on the domestic purposes benefit will have to spend at least 15 hours working, training or job-seeking once their youngest child turns six.

That will also apply to 5600 sickness and invalid beneficiaries categorised as capable of working.

National believes it is in the interests of sole-parent families to be in the workforce, and argues that work obligations have been successful in reducing the number of people on the unemployment benefit.

The party would also increase the amount beneficiaries can earn before their benefit is reduced, from $80 a week to $100 dollars a week.

National is promising to index benefits to inflation, enshrining in legislation Consumer Price Index adjustments to welfare. It is currently done by convention.