Jobseeker rolls keep rising as Minister Upston highlights more people leaving benefits for work

MSD figures show 218,500 people on the Jobseeker benefit in June 2026, up nearly 2,500 from a year earlier. Social Development Minister Louise Upston highlighted a different measure: 86,544 people left benefits for work in the year to June 2026, up 5,772. Labour's Willow-Jean Prime said nearly 30,000 more people are on Jobseeker than when the government set its 50,000 reduction target.