Government says benefit numbers remain low

The Government says the number of people on benefits remains low, despite a total figure of more than 320,000.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says benefit numbers rose by 433, or 0.1% in July.

The resulting total was the lowest figure for the July month since 2009.

Of that number, 50,000 people are on an Unemployment Benefit.

Bennett says the Government still has work to do, and welfare reform will play an important role.

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