Govt will provide help for as long as needed: PM Wong at launch of latest tranche of CDC vouchers
All Singaporean households will each receive $500 in CDC vouchers from May 13 to help them with their daily expenses. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Govt will provide help for as long as needed: PM Wong at launch of latest tranche of CDC vouchers
SINGAPORE - CDC vouchers are not a one-off exercise to help Singaporeans cope with cost of living issues, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong who gave the assurance that the Government will provide help for as long as needed.
'Some Singaporeans say - all this is very good... but they ask, i s this just one-time and is this only a temporary assistance ,' said PM Wong, who was speaking on May 13 at the launch of the seventh tranche of the CDC vouchers scheme at Nee Soon South Community Centre.
'I assure all of you that this is not a one-off exercise, and the Government will provide the help for as long as it is needed.'
All Singaporean households will each receive $500 in CDC vouchers from May 13 to help them with their daily expenses.
PM Wong noted that the vouchers are part of a comprehensive package of support measures that were announced in Budget 2025, with another $300 in CDC vouchers to be issued in January 2026.
There is also help in other forms such as LifeSG credits, Edusave top-ups for children, and U-save rebates.
Singaporeans will also get one-off SG60 vouchers to celebrate Singapore's 60th year of independence, where those aged 21 to 59 will get $600, while those aged 60 and above will get $800.
Beyond providing rebates and vouchers, PM Wong said: ' We have been and we will continue to review, update and strengthen our social system across different areas, be it housing, healthcare, education or retirement.
'All these updates, changes, improvements to policies will help to provide Singaporeans with greater assurance through every life stage.'
He also addressed the sustainability of the vouchers programme, and the necessity for a GST hike.
PM Wong said maintaining fiscal responsibility has always been the government's approach .
'We want to make sure that when we spend more, we are doing it for the benefit of Singaporeans, but the spending is sustainable over the medium to longer term,' he said.
He noted that the decision to increase taxes earlier in the decade was made to cover a funding gap in public finances, where Singapore's finance expenditure was going to increase, but revenues were not sufficient to cover the spending.
The GST was raised from 7 per cent to 9 per cent over two years, in 2023 and 2024.
'It was a difficult decision to make, it was certainly not popular, but it was the right thing to do, and it was a responsible thing to do,' he said.
'Because we did that, today, we are in a healthy and sound fiscal position, and we have the resources we need to protect Singaporeans, to shield you from cost of living increases.
'We have the resources to steer Singapore through the economic storms that we see coming ahead of us. That is precisely what good and responsible government is, and we will continue with this.'
PM Wong also praised the efforts of Singaporeans, such as donating their CDC vouchers and implementing community initiatives like $1 deals.
He noted that merchants, hawkers and supermarkets have come up with special SG60 deals to help Singaporeans make the most of their vouchers.
'All of you did your part, including fellow Singaporeans, stepping forward to look out for one another and lifting one another up. Thank you all for your contributions,' he said.
This is the spirit that will take Singapore forward for the next 60 years and beyond, he added.
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