The Green Party says it is incomprehensible that the Government is looking to slash state sector jobs in the face of rapidly rising unemployment.
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says there are plans to cut about 5% of the ministry's staff, or about 500 jobs.
Green MP Sue Bradford says the cuts make no sense given the department is going to be busier than ever dealing with rising unemployment and social problems.
Ms Bradford says the announcement is particularly ironic in view of Prime Minister John Key's impending employment summit.
The ministry includes staff from Work and Income, as well as Child, Youth and Family.
Education Ministry cut denied
Meanwhile, Education Secretary Karen Sewell says her ministry has not been told to cut $500 million from its budget.
Ms Sewell told Parliament's education and science select committee on Wednesday morning that the Government had not specified by how much it should reduce its spending.
Former education minister Chris Carter told the committee there was a widely held view around Wellington that the Education Ministry had been asked to cut its budget by $500 million.
Ms Sewell told the committee that view had not been expressed to her.
