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Social Development Minister Paula Bennett - Source: ONE News -
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The number of people on a benefit has increased because the country is in a recession but unemployed people are being supported, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says.
Her comments came after Labour released figures showing 48,555 people had gone on a benefit since National took office.
Labour's Social Development spokeswoman Annette King says the government's programmes to alleviate job losses have not worked.
But Bennett says the recession is increasing the number of New Zealanders depending on the state.
"Labour seems to have woken up a bit late to the fact that during the recession benefit numbers will go up."
The number of people claiming the unemployment benefit has risen to 59,151, the sickness benefit to 55,913, an invalid's benefit 84,902 and the dependent person benefit to 106,640, Bennett says.
She says numbers have been kept down by some people finding work through Work and Income and going off a benefit.
The government is taking "practical measures that are making a difference".
The re-start programme for workers made redundant and the youth opportunities package have helped prevent job losses and create work, according to Bennett.
"Every person out of a job and looking for work has a family behind them who's depending on them.
"We will continue to look for ways to support them with a firm focus on getting them into a new job."
