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September 10, 2020
Welfare reform critical for child wellbeing boost
Waatea Team
Posted On September 10, 2020
The Children’s Commissioner says an overhaul of the welfare system, improved access to warm and dry houses, and real partnerships with iwi are initiatives that would make a real difference to child wellbeing.
Andrew Becroft says a progress report on the Government’s Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy released yesterday includes significant advances.
These include an extension of paid parental leave to 26 weeks, free GP visits extended to under-14-year-olds, free lunches in more schools, and a funding boost for Te Kōhanga Reo.
But too many children are missing out and are disadvantaged, resulting in New Zealand slipping in the international rankings.
He says the strategy needs to be a circuit breaker.
Commissioner Becroft says COVID-19 has shone a light on the inadequacy of our welfare system and children and young people will bear the brunt of our long-term recovery.
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