Benefits stable as 100,000 come off wage subsidy

Fri, 25 Sep 2020

The number of people claiming unemployment benefits was largely stable last week, despite almost 100,000 workers coming off the government’s wage subsidy programme.There were just 120,176 jobs supported by the programme and its extensions as at Sept. 18, down from 217,912 seven days prior and a peak of 1.66 million on May 29, Ministry of Social Development figures show.That’s seen the government pay $14 billion to keep as many of those people in work and, barring further extensions, is expected to taper off in mid-November.Unemploym...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

CEO Index Free Startup Finalist

CEO surfing the wave of one of the fastest-growing NZ firms ever

10,000 brands, 200 staff, 24 countries in five years: Connor Archbold is one happy man.

Gill South 12:00pm

Finance

Banks accelerate crackdown on ‘mule’ scammers

New technology picks up crooked “muleteers” more quickly.

Andy Macdonald 10:00am

Banks accelerate crackdown on ‘mule’ scammers

Primary Sector

Comvita shareholders deliver the killer sting to Florenz deal

Florenz had offered 80 cents per share.

Riley Kennedy 9:15am

Comvita shareholders deliver the killer sting to Florenz deal

Sponsored

Cybersecurity skills gap leaving Kiwi businesses at risk - report

A cybersecurity skills shortage is creating additional cyber risks, according to a new global report.

Fortinet

Sponsored

Spark’s partner strategy sets the bar for innovation

Spark

More Economy

Economy

Food prices lift 4.7% in 12 months to October

Food prices increased by 4.7% in the 12 months to October, although they fell for the second consecutive month, down 0.3% due to lower vegetable prices.Higher prices for the grocery food group were the largest contributor, up 4.9% on an annual basis, while meat, poultry and fish...

Staff reporters 12:02pm