Albanese government poised to increase jobseeker for people over 55

The Albanese government is poised to increase jobseeker for people aged over 55, citing the need to target cost of living relief at women and the long-term unemployed.

On Monday Channel Seven first reported, and Guardian Australia independently confirmed, that the $50 a day rate of jobseeker will be increased at first only for those 55 and over with reconsideration of a broader raise in later budgets.

Last week four Labor MPs signed a letter organised by the Australian Council for Social Services calling for an increase in jobseeker, joined by a further eight colleagues publicly backing an increase.

Increasing jobseeker for over 55s would benefit more than 220,000 people, but exclude more than 680,000 others on jobseeker and youth allowance.

Those aged 60 or over with more than nine months on jobseeker already qualify for a higher rate of $745 a fortnight, compared with $693 for a single person with no children under that age.

Several Labor MPs contacted on Monday night said they were not aware of the announcement in advance, but confirmed they were aware of recent discussions about targeted relief for older unemployed people.