Early birds still feeling the pinch
PEOPLE were queueing to collect copies of the Budget before Sir Hamish had even finished his address.
More than 200,000 leaflets summarising the Budget proposals were distributed throughout the territory at major MTR stations and some district board offices.
Most of those keen readers of leaflets distributed at Central station said they were disappointed with the paltry increase in tax concessions.
Policeman Chan Wai-sing, 31, said income tax had been a heavy burden on his family.
He suggested the Government raise allowances.
Living with his wife, daughter and father, Mr Chan said it was difficult to maintain his living standards.
'I pay around $18,000 each year and that's a month's salary for me. It is really hard for me to support the whole family since I don't have double pay or commission,' he said.
The 10 per cent increase in child and dependent parent allowances to $22,000 was also not appreciated.
'$22,000 is far from a reasonable amount to cover the expenses for either my daughter or my father,' he said.
Form Six student See Hon-kit agreed, saying that most parents had to pay between $30,000 and $40,000 to support a child, and having more children meant paying a more unreasonable tax rate.
'My parents spend more than $30,000 on me, and my younger brother is even more of a burden on the family because we have to pay an extra $20,000 in tutorial fees for him because of poor academic performance,' he said.
Alvey Li Shan, a computer technician said: 'The Government should do more because our living standard has been deteriorating under high inflation.'
