Economists Urge Targeted Cost-of-Living Support to Ease Pressures Without Stoking Inflation
• Economists say government could raise welfare payments to ease cost-of-living pressures, but must balance this with inflation risks • Options include increasing unemployment benefits, pensions, and tackling competition issues • Government provided $23bn in cost-of-living support in 2023, but 2024 measures may have less impact • Lifting jobseeker payment to 90% of pension could lift hundreds of thousands from poverty, says welfare group • WHO says government deserves credit for not spending extra revenues, should avoid throwing cash at households