Finance chief John Tsang Chun-wah got the message loud and clear at the first of four regional consultation forums on his budget yesterday - help the needy.
Recommendations from 33 representatives of local organisations and councils in Tsuen Wan revolved around livelihood issues, including relief measures for elderly people, the working class and the chronically ill.
As high inflation continues, the finance minister was also urged to tailor handouts to ease the plight of the poor. Tsang said the measures would be directed at the sectors most urgently in need.
'There will be short-term relief measures. We have to think carefully if the policies can target the needy,' he said. 'We also need to evaluate the impact of policies on the economy.'
But he refused to say if there would be any form of subsidy, such as his HK$1,800-per-household subsidy on electricity in the 2008-09 budget.
Tsang said the government's spending since he took up the post in 2007 had risen by 35 per cent in total.