Budget 2023 will strengthen social compact, give assurance for families: DPM Wong
THIS year’s Budget will focus on moving forward post-Covid-19, said Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Monday (Feb 13).
In a Facebook post, DPM Wong, who is also Finance Minister, said the Budget’s theme will be “Moving forward in a new era”, and will set out how Singapore will secure its prospects in a troubled world.
The Budget will be delivered in Parliament on Tuesday at 3.30pm.
It is meant to help Singaporeans seize new opportunities, strengthen the social compact and give assurance to families, while building a collective resilience as one people, said DPM Wong.
He noted that Monday also marked the end of Singapore’s Covid-19 restrictions, as announced in a press conference on Feb 9 by the multi-ministry task force tackling Covid-19.
This includes the lifting of mask restrictions on public transport, as well as border measures, among other things.
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“We have pulled together to weather the crisis of a generation. While we have emerged stronger together from the pandemic, we now have to prepare for a new post-pandemic future,” said DPM Wong.
“The road ahead will not be easy. But through our collective efforts, and the trust we have in each other, I am confident that we will strive and secure a better tomorrow for all, and for our future generations.”
This Budget will include details of enhancements to the Assurance Package, as announced in November 2022.
The S$8 billion support package, meant to offset the effects of the goods and services tax hike, will be updated to take into account higher-than-expected inflation.
It is also expected to include updates to government policies based on the feedback and ideas given in the Forward Singapore nationwide consultation exercise. THE STRAITS TIMES
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