Paula Bennett

Wellington, Sept 6 NZPA - The number of people on benefits rose slightly in August but more than 6000 beneficiaries also moved into work, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says.

The number of people on a benefit rose 0.7 percent to 336,333.

The number of people on the unemployment benefit increased from 63,059 to 63,910.

The increase was largely due to agriculture layoffs in the East Coast, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki and central North Island, Ms Bennett said.

She said 6596 people cancelled their benefit last month because they found work.