DESPITE a double-digit percentage increase in social welfare spending, welfare groups and other critics call the planned expenditure inadequate and disappointing.
The Government's spending on social welfare will rise by 13.2 per cent in real terms to $12.95 billion - from $10.53 billion for the previous 12 months.
'On the whole, it seems to be a big increase. But for the needy it's inadequate and fails to help them,' said legislator Hui Yin-fat.
Director of the Society for Community Organisations Ho Hei-wah said: 'The improvements are conservative and there are no new initiatives. It is all aimed at old problems without long-term strategy.' He said apart from spending on social security payments, the real amount for social welfare was less than two per cent of the Government's overall expenditure and amounted to little.
Social Welfare Department estimates point to a 14.1 per cent increase in expenditure to $12.03 billion (including $639 million from the Lotteries Fund).
Among the biggest increases are those for rehabilitation, the elderly and medical services, as well as family and child welfare.
Money for services for the elderly is up by 20.1 per cent - from $922 million to $1.1 billion.
