29 Jul 2014

English rejects criticism of economy

6:15 pm on 29 July 2014

Finance Minister Bill English has rejected Labour Party criticism that the economy has got worse, not better, under the National-led Government.

Finance Minister Bill English.

Finance Minister Bill English. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski

During Parliament's Question Time on Tuesday, Mr English said the pre-election economic and fiscal update would show things are much better now than when Labour left office in 2008.

Labour's finance spokesperson David Parker said more people are unemployed than when National took office, wages have stagnated and inequality has got worse.

But Mr English said more people than ever are in work, wages have risen and levels of inequality are either flat or have improved slightly.

The pre-election update, to be released on 19 August, would have a positive outlook for the economy, he said.