Cutting DPB punitive says children's advocate

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Punishing solo mums and dads by reducing their benefits is "penalising the children for the sins of the parents", the children's commissioner says.

Commissioner John Angus has attacked proposals by the controversial Welfare Working Group saying some "do pose a real risk".

He was uneasy that parents' benefits may be reduced if a child does not attend school or meet health standards.

And though it was laudable to encourage parents back to work, requiring parents of children under two to do so worried him. "I think caution is needed so we don't make things worse for children. Some of the options presented by the group do pose a real risk.

"Options that require a sole parent to seek work before the child turns two years old also worry me. The early years of a child's life are so vital to their development and the demands on parents are high. Sole parents should be supported to carry out this important role, without the pressure of returning to the workforce when their child is so young."

The Government-appointed group recommended radical suggestions for reforming the welfare system in a report issued last week. These included strict time limits on benefits, work-for-the-dole and forcing solo mothers to work based on the age of their oldest child.

It outlined dozens of "options" for a modernised system "with a greater focus on personal responsibility".

Mr Angus said children of single parents were the most likely to be living in poverty. "I have concerns about the options that would reduce benefit levels or take other punitive measures for women who have another child while on a benefit.

"I cannot see how this would lead to good outcomes for any children in such a family."

With 183,000 single parents receiving the domestic purposes benefit, it was important to pay attention to how changes to the benefit system would affect them.

"The impact of changes to the benefit system on children should not be underestimated.

"I urge the working group to carefully consider how these options will affect children's lives in the immediate and long-term future."

But there were aspects of the report he was pleased to see. These included access to childcare and better targeting of quality childcare for low income families.

"However, the working group has not given much emphasis to flexibility in the workplace, to help sole parents juggle the demands of parenting and work."

Family-friendly workplaces would help more parents enter paid work.

"Parents need to be able to take time off work to take their children to the doctor, attend school meetings and care for sick children."

He urged the working group "to carefully consider how these options will affect children's lives in the immediate and long-term future."

Prime Minister John Key has already said that at least some of the group's final recommendations would be adopted.

In August, the group called New Zealand's welfare system "unsustainable, outdated and fragmented".

The group will make its final report to the Government in February.

- © Fairfax NZ News