More than 55,000 on dole - Bennett

There were 55,272 people on the dole at the end of July, documents released today show.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett released the latest figures when she announced a boost for frontline Work and Income staff to help unemployed people find jobs.

Overall, unemployment benefit numbers are up by 34,726, an increase of 169 percent, since July last year.

The documents say the figures should be seen in perspective.

"In June 1999 over 150,000 people were receiving the unemployment benefit and in March 2003 it was around 100,000 - almost double what it is today.

"At this time four years ago there were about 51,000 people receiving the unemployment benefit."

The documents say 18 to 24-year-olds accounted for 33 percent of people on the dole at the end of July, compared with 23 percent a year earlier.

Over that period the numbers for the age group rose from 4749 to 18,161.

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