Government will look into helping those who missed out on Hong Kong budget perks and consider redefining ‘N-nothing’
Financial Secretary Paul Chan’s remarks are shot down by lawmakers, who raise a fresh round of concerns and criticism over using the Community Care Fund
Hong Kong’s finance chief said on Saturday that the government was looking into using a care fund to help those people who missed out on benefits in his budget address.
The remark by Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, which raised a new round of concerns and criticism, came a day after lawmakers from across the political spectrum called for cash handouts.
Chan said he asked the Community Care Fund to explore helping “N-nothing” households – those who earn too much to qualify for subsidised housing or welfare assistance but not enough to buy their own homes or benefit from tax breaks – and “plug gaps in the existing system”.
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He also asked the fund – which targets those facing economic difficulties and in need of assistance – to consider expanding the definition of “N-nothing” to cover people who were public housing tenants.
Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung also weighed in, appealing to the public for “some room and time” for the government to work out plans.
Taking aim at Chan’s latest remarks, Ip said: “Why should people left out of the financial secretary’s largesse, through no fault of their own, be required to apply to the fund as though they are welfare applicants?” She also noted that tax and rates waivers did not require any applications.