Greens call for students to be lifted out of poverty with Guaranteed Minimum Income

The Green Party is calling for a Guaranteed Minimum Income to be implemented after the election to help students not captured by the wage subsidy scheme.

Green Tertiary Education spokesperson Chlöe Swarbrick said today:

“COVID-19 has not created poverty and inequality, but simply exposed it. The lid has been lifted on just how many young people are doing it tough in this country.

“We support the wage subsidy scheme being rolled out by Government to support New Zealanders, but we know students aren’t benefitting from that support.

“That’s because many students are experiencing the increased casualisation of work, which creates ongoing instability and shows how our social support doesn’t capture everyone like it should.

“The Government should investigate how these students can be better supported in the immediate term. In the medium to long term, we must implement a Guaranteed Minimum Income, which would ensure students receive $325 per week, no matter what.  

“COVID-19 has served immense struggle across our communities, revealing just how much students are hovering at the breadline. 

“It shouldn’t be a rite of passage to live in poverty during higher education. Let’s fix it.”

Latest Tertiary Education Announcements

Story

Tertiary lifeline buys time to get model right

The Green Party is today welcoming news that the Government will ensure much needed funding for the tertiary sector.
Read More

Story

Greens call on Education Minister to bring tertiary sector to the table

The Green Party is once again calling on the Minister of Education to bring union, government officials and sector leaders together to urgently imp...
Read More

Story

Greens back uni strikes and call on Hipkins to bring sector to the table

The Green Party is calling on the Minister of Education to bring the tertiary education sector together so we can urgently improve the pay and cond...
Read More

Story

Inquiry reveals thousands of students living in poverty

The Government must lift student incomes now, says the Green Party, as new evidence shows thousands of students are living in poverty, with many st...
Read More

Story

Greens partner with student unions to launch people’s inquiry into student wellbeing

Green Tertiary spokesperson Chlöe Swarbrick has teamed up with student unions across the country to launch a People's Inquiry into Student Wellbein...
Read More

Story

Greens call for immediate student support, launches petition

Green Party Tertiary Education Spokesperson Chlöe Swarbrick has launched a petition calling for immediate, meaningful support for students, saying ...
Read More