Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam blames CY Leung’s administration for controversial elderly welfare cutback
- Chief executive says increase in age limit for elderly CSSA payments originated from 2017 policy address
- It would be irresponsible for lawmakers to vote down next budget over issue, she adds
Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor attempted to deflect the blame for a controversial cutback on elderly welfare payments on Tuesday, pointing the finger at the previous government of Leung Chun-ying.
The chief executive also said lawmakers would be acting irresponsibly if they voted down the government’s budget over the issue, which has sparked an outcry from across the political spectrum.
“At the end of the day, the community will be hurt if there isn’t a budget to support the various activities and services of the government departments,” she said.
The government announced last Monday that the eligibility age for elderly comprehensive social security assistance (CSSA) would be increased from 60 to 65 from February 1.
The move drew a heavy backlash from lawmakers, with pan-democrats seeking to vote down the incoming budget plan with the help of pro-government legislators.