 When does the government intend to develop, introduce and implement the Vulnerable Children’s Plan?  Does the government intend to introduce measures to address the socioeconomic well-being of vulnerable children under the auspices of the Vulnerable Children Plan, and, if so, does the government intend to broaden its scope for that purpose?  If not, does the government intend to implement a systemic child poverty strategy underpinned by legislation as recommended by the EAG?  Since 2012, how much additional spending has the government allocated for new policies specifically designed to reduce material deprivation caused by household income poverty, poor quality housing, poor educational outcomes and poor child health outcomes or to mitigate its causes or effects? Social security 34. The Government’s Support for Children in Hardship Bill18 introduced a $25 per week increase to the parent payment and youth parent payment social security benefit. This is welcome and is the first increase in 43 years.19 However, the Bill also introduces more onerous work testing requirements for parents which further toughen the strict sanctions regime introduced by the 2012 reforms to social security legislation.20 35. The impact of sanctions on children is yet to be measured as the Ministry of Social Development does not report on the requisite data. However, recent figures obtained by the media indicate that 43,000 children were affected by cuts to household income brought about by benefit sanctions in the period between July 2013 and July 2015.21 36. The Social Security Act 1964 which governs social security benefits does not contain any provision that requires Government officials to consider the welfare and best interests of any affected child as part of its decision-making process under the Act, including sanctions. 37. The Committee may wish to consider including the following question in its LOIPR for New Zealand: 18http://www.legislation.govt.nz/all/results.aspx?search=ts_act%40bill%40regulation%40deemedreg_support+f or+children+in+hardship_resel_25_a&p=1 19 https://www.national.org.nz/news/news/media-releases/detail/2015/12/03/Benefits-to-rise-after-ChildHardship-Bill-passes 20 Section 117, Social Security Act 1964 – the sanctions impose, among other things, a 50% reduction in the benefit payment until re-compliance for the first instance of non-compliance with an obligation, suspension of the benefit for a second instance of non-compliance, and cancellation of the benefit for the third instance 21 http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/279597/thousands-of-children-hit-by-benefit-sanctions 10