In Brief
FTU, Liberal Party outline budget proposals to finance chief
Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah was urged yesterday to act in his February budget to help underprivileged groups and struggling businesses. The Federation of Trade Unions proposed a package that would cost HK$17.1 billion involving the creation of a HK$2.5 billion temporary unemployment fund and medical subsidies worth HK$860 million for the elderly. At a separate meeting, the Liberal Party proposed a package involving tax adjustments benefiting the middle class and subsidised electricity bills.
Business revenues drop
Government data shows year-on-year falls in the value of business receipts in most major sectors. The transport industry recorded a drop of more than 25 per cent in business receipts, mainly through declines in water and air transport. The hotels, administrative and support services, import-export and wholesale sectors suffered 10 per cent drops.
