I am writing in response to the article, “Hong Kong budget to hit record deficit of HK$139 million” (February 26).
The government has been generous this year, but it does not take much to realise the purpose of the cash handouts and relief measures in the budget.
Over the past several years, our usually stingy government hoarded money instead of improving the livelihood of the people or addressing long-standing social issues, such as the housing problem and the needs of the ageing population.
Although the package of relief measures is undoubtedly attractive, will it restore people’s faith in the government? No, because cash is not the solution to serious social problems. For example, it will not solve the housing crisis.
Some analysts are concerned about the sustainability of this big-spending budget and whether the bumper relief measures can achieve their intended effect.
With fiscal reserves standing at HK$1.1 trillion, the Treasury has more than adequate resources to meet Hong Kong’s needs. The government should use these assets to address long-standing social issues. I do not believe the government has done so with this budget.
Venus Ng, Tseung Kwan O
Hong Kong elderly deserve more than the occasional handout
Professor Helen Chan and Elina Fung’s sympathy for the elderly (“Hong Kong must cater to its elderly’s nutritional needs amid coronavirus”, February 25) stands in contrast to our cold-hearted government officials. Often in the evening in Central, while standing in the long queues at bus stops along Des Voeux Road, one sees a few elderly people pushing a trolley filled with large black plastic bags of office trash crossing the tramlines, trailed by a tiny bent-over woman who can barely see the traffic ahead.
An elderly woman drags a trolley stacked with cardboard for recycling on a Hong Kong road in November 2019. Photo: AFP
Everyone at the bus stop raises their eyes from their mobile phones and holds their breath, praying these elderly people will make it safely across the road.
We can offer them a little money or help them push their trolley, but despite such help, our sunset labour force will continue to suffer from poverty, except for the occasions when our financial secretary draws a HK$10,000 post-dated cheque in their favour.
Our government should give serious thought to adopting a tax system common in developed countries in which the younger generation pays a high tax rate to give the elderly a comfortable life. This will benefit everyone when they grow old.
