16 Oct 2008

Labour would raise beneficiaries' work threshold to $140

6:18 pm on 16 October 2008

The Labour Party is proposing to let beneficiaries keep more of what they earn through part-time work.

Labour's leader Helen Clark announced in Hamilton on Thursday 16 October that if the party remains in Government, it would raise the amount to $100 from April next year, and to $140 in 2012.

Beneficiaries currently can earn $80 before their payments are reduced.

The change would cost the Government $133 million over three years.

Miss Clark says raising the threshold would help beneficiaries make the transition back to work.

National's proposed policy is to lift the rate to $100.

It was last changed in 1996 when the National Government lifted it from $50 to $80.