Review Frequency of Social Support Scheme Adequacy and Framework to Trigger Temporary Support Schemes

Parliamentary Question by Mr Cai Yinzhou:

To ask the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) how frequently does the Government review social support scheme adequacy and what specific economic indicators will trigger an out-of-cycle review; (b) how is the adequacy of support assessed and measured for lower-income households; (c) whether the Ministry will consider predetermined thresholds to trigger temporary support schemes similar to those deployed during COVID-19; and (d) if so, what are they.

Parliamentary Reply by Senior Minister of State for Finance, Mr Jeffrey Siow:

The Government regularly reviews social support schemes to ensure that they remain responsive to households’ needs.

To assess whether support remains adequate for lower-income households, the Government monitors key indicators, such as real income growth, and outcomes across the employment, housing, health and education domains. This allows us to better understand household trends in achieving stability, self-reliance and social mobility, efficacy of the support, as well as identify areas with unmet needs where support can be enhanced.

Where necessary, the Government will complement social support schemes with temporary assistance measures to cushion the impact of exceptional shocks. The Government assesses each situation holistically, considering the scale and nature of disruptions alongside the adequacy of existing support measures. This approach ensures that our support is sized appropriately, and targeted at those who need it more.