Simon Bridges National MP simonbridges.co.nz

In this last week of parliament before the election, we had a number of valedictory speeches from retiring National MPs, including Tony Ryall.

As a new MP in 2008, Tony was a great help to me and I have learned a lot from him sharing a constituency office in Tauranga during the last six years.

More Kiwis off welfare and into work

Before National came to power, the welfare system simply expanded with no investment in supporting people into work, or action to prevent long-term benefit dependency.

One of our biggest projects, led by Social Development Minister Paula Bennett, has been reforming our welfare system so it provides intensive support for people who need it the most.

The latest benefit figures show our approach is working. The number of people on welfare for the June quarter is the lowest since 2008.

There are more than 16,000 fewer people on welfare compared to June 2013, and sole parents are leading the way with a 10.7 per cent drop.

Sole parents, particularly those who go on benefit in their teens, have the highest lifetime costs of any group on welfare, and are likely to stay on benefit the longest.

That's why our welfare reforms deliberately focus on them, investing millions into support, training and childcare.

National believes getting people off welfare and into work means a better life, better opportunities and a brighter future for people and their families. We believe anyone who can work should be in employment, training, or looking for a job.

Numbers on the Jobseeker benefit have fallen by almost 7500 since last year, and have been consistently declining since 2010 even as the overall working age population has increased during that period.

Our welfare reforms and a strong, growing economy are giving more Kiwis the opportunity to get into work, earn higher wages, and build careers for themselves and better lives for their families.

National's priorities to build a more competitive and productive economy and deliver better public services are making a real difference in the lives of New Zealanders.