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The Government’s commitment to protecting children from abuse and neglect has been further strengthened with $33.2 million in operating funding in 2014/15. 

“On average there are around 22,000 cases of abuse and neglect of New Zealand children each year,” Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says.

“More than 50 children have died in the past five years because of extreme abuse, and one child aged under two years is hospitalised every five days.

The Government is investing more in social housing, including $77.5 million of new operating funding and $18.2 million of new capital funding over the next four years, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says.

“This will provide more families with access to affordable rental housing,” she says.

Last month, the Ministry of Social Development took over responsibility for housing assessments, tenancy reviews, managing social housing providers, the waiting list, fraud investigation and debt recovery.

The Government is extending the parental tax credit to help many lower- and middle-income families at a time when they most need it - the birth of a new baby, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett and Revenue Minister Todd McClay say.

Budget 2014 includes the following changes:

The Government’s commitment to supporting people to get off welfare and into work is continuing, with new operating funding of $100 million over the next four years.

“Welfare reforms have already made a huge difference for tens of thousands of New Zealanders and their families,” Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says.

The Government is continuing to invest in psychosocial services and support for temporary accommodation services in Canterbury, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says.

“Canterbury people have been incredibly resilient, but the pressures associated with the rebuild and temporary accommodation arrangements continue to be major stresses for many,” she says.

The Government is providing further support for the Canterbury rebuild with $3.5 million of new operating funding for 2014/15 in Budget 2014 to assist beneficiaries to take up work in Christchurch.

“We’re offering up to 1,000 beneficiaries a one-off payment of $3,000 each if they have a full-time job offer in Canterbury and are ready and willing to move there,” Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett today announced new operating funding of $22 million over four years for non-government organisations delivering community budgeting services to families.

“Budgeting services are providing critical help to thousands of Kiwis who are able to make a real difference in their lives with new money management skills,” Mrs Bennett says.

“This new investment sees baseline funding rise by 61 per cent from $9 million a year to $15 million a year by 2015/16 and will ensure the services are able to keep up with demand.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett and Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew have today announced $10.4 million in new operating funding to support sexual violence services over the next two years.

“This funding boost in Budget 2014 will provide immediate stability for the specialist services providing vital support for New Zealanders and their families impacted by sexual violence,” Mrs Bennett says.