Hong Kong to be ‘more targeted’ in helping poor amid deficit: No 2 official
Government will not simply cut social welfare resources, Eric Chan says, as city grapples with deficit set to reach about HK$100 billion
The government will adopt a “more targeted” approach to help underprivileged residents instead of simply cutting social welfare resources amid a significant budget deficit, Hong Kong’s No 2 official has said.
Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki said on Saturday that care was needed with spending so resources would not be “wasted”, while the education minister dismissed a proposal for university tuition fees to be increased significantly for non-local students to help reduce the government’s financial burden.
The administration is tackling a deficit that is forecast to reach about HK$100 billion (US$12.8 billion) for the current financial year, with finance minister Paul Chan Mo-po expected to unveil cost-cutting measures when he delivers his annual budget speech on February 26.
The chief secretary said the government aimed to direct resources to those who needed them the most, as social welfare spending had reached HK$120 billion, accounting for one-fifth of the government’s recurrent expenditure.
“We will review from time to time how our services can be more targeted in helping the needy,” he told a radio show. “Otherwise, resources will be wasted. Our future direction is to be more precise instead of reducing resources.”
Eric Chan acknowledged the city had an ageing population but said the government would tailor its efforts as not all elderly residents required help.
