Topic
TOPIC
- Residents targeted for the expanded handout will be subject to age, income requirements
- Extension of the handout scheme beyond permanent residents came on the heels of public backlash
The under-18s are neither receiving cash handouts nor being given priority in the budget. Also, priority has not been given to establishing a competent mandatory platform to represent children’s best interests.
The under-18s are neither receiving cash handouts nor being given priority in the budget. Also, priority has not been given to establishing a competent mandatory platform to represent children’s best interests.
Those who have not yet achieved permanent resident status also suffered greatly during the events of the past months. Granting all Hong Kong residents the handout would be an inclusive gesture.
Those who have not yet achieved permanent resident status also suffered greatly during the events of the past months. Granting all Hong Kong residents the handout would be an inclusive gesture.
Finance chief will have ‘no tricks up his sleeves’ in wake of series of relief measures, cabinet member warns.
Finance chief will have ‘no tricks up his sleeves’ in wake of series of relief measures, cabinet member warns.
Paul Chan’s fourth budget speech will detail the extent of the city’s first deficit in 15 years.
Paul Chan’s fourth budget speech will detail the extent of the city’s first deficit in 15 years.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan says city is now more reliant on tourism, which has been severely hammered by health crisis, on top of ongoing civil unrest.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan says city is now more reliant on tourism, which has been severely hammered by health crisis, on top of ongoing civil unrest.
Finance chief Paul Chan says another year in the red is no cause for concern with the city supported by HK$1.1 trillion in reserves.
Finance chief Paul Chan says another year in the red is no cause for concern with the city supported by HK$1.1 trillion in reserves.
DAB suggests increasing resources to set up 24-hour special courts, strengthen police equipment, and clean up Lennon Walls across city at a meeting with Financial Secretary Paul Chan.
DAB suggests increasing resources to set up 24-hour special courts, strengthen police equipment, and clean up Lennon Walls across city at a meeting with Financial Secretary Paul Chan.
The city will be in the red in 2020-21, as well as this year, finance chief Paul Chan said as he hammered home the impact of the protests on the city’s economy.
The city will be in the red in 2020-21, as well as this year, finance chief Paul Chan said as he hammered home the impact of the protests on the city’s economy.
Government originally estimated a surplus of HK$16.8 billion – but the city has spent more and earned less during months of protests.
Government originally estimated a surplus of HK$16.8 billion – but the city has spent more and earned less during months of protests.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan cites a host of reasons for the relief measures but studiously avoids the word ‘protests’. He also warns the city’s economy could enter into a technical recession.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan cites a host of reasons for the relief measures but studiously avoids the word ‘protests’. He also warns the city’s economy could enter into a technical recession.
With an ageing population and low fertility rate, Hong Kong is facing a shrinking labour force. But getting more people to join or re-enter the workforce is no easy matter.
With an ageing population and low fertility rate, Hong Kong is facing a shrinking labour force. But getting more people to join or re-enter the workforce is no easy matter.
Instead of the 130 facilities announced in February’s budget, the Social Welfare Department released a list of about 160 in the city’s 18 districts, including 55 elderly activity centres and 28 childcare centres.
Instead of the 130 facilities announced in February’s budget, the Social Welfare Department released a list of about 160 in the city’s 18 districts, including 55 elderly activity centres and 28 childcare centres.
The budget was passed by 44 to 15 after 50 hours of debate. All 56 amendments put forward by the pan-democrats were rejected, including one that sought to cut Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s salary.
The budget was passed by 44 to 15 after 50 hours of debate. All 56 amendments put forward by the pan-democrats were rejected, including one that sought to cut Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s salary.
The three-month window to apply for the HK$4,000 sum closed on Tuesday. Unions say staff have had to work overtime to process the applications and at least 20 have quit.
The three-month window to apply for the HK$4,000 sum closed on Tuesday. Unions say staff have had to work overtime to process the applications and at least 20 have quit.
Harbourfront Commission recommends studying the waterfront districts of Singapore, Sydney and Copenhagen.
Harbourfront Commission recommends studying the waterfront districts of Singapore, Sydney and Copenhagen.
Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po attended the Redefining Hong Kong Debate Series, organised by the South China Morning Post on March 13, to explain his 2019-20 budget.
Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po attended the Redefining Hong Kong Debate Series, organised by the South China Morning Post on March 13, to explain his 2019-20 budget.
Government expenditure on welfare, education and health care has risen over the years, but without sufficient oversight on whether such spending is useful, the money will not have the intended impact.
Government expenditure on welfare, education and health care has risen over the years, but without sufficient oversight on whether such spending is useful, the money will not have the intended impact.
The budget has allocated a substantial sum for secondary schools to upgrade information technology equipment and classes
The budget has allocated a substantial sum for secondary schools to upgrade information technology equipment and classes
Tender system for lowest bidder in cleaning contracts and lack of public education clog up efforts to improve embarrassing situation for city, even with government’s HK$600 million bid to flush away issue.
Tender system for lowest bidder in cleaning contracts and lack of public education clog up efforts to improve embarrassing situation for city, even with government’s HK$600 million bid to flush away issue.
The budget proposal to buy private properties to set up welfare facilities has come under fire, and the welfare secretary has said the government will not buy them from Link Reit. Actually, a smarter solution would be to buy back Link Reit.
The budget proposal to buy private properties to set up welfare facilities has come under fire, and the welfare secretary has said the government will not buy them from Link Reit. Actually, a smarter solution would be to buy back Link Reit.
The elitism of members of the establishment in Hong Kong is evident in their failure to understand why the middle-class needs help from the government.
The elitism of members of the establishment in Hong Kong is evident in their failure to understand why the middle-class needs help from the government.
This year’s budget allocates more funds to health care but doesn’t get at the roots of the problem — air pollution, stressful working conditions and high rents.
This year’s budget allocates more funds to health care but doesn’t get at the roots of the problem — air pollution, stressful working conditions and high rents.
Improved toilet facilities won’t go far if they are poorly maintained and users are not educated on treating public property well.
Improved toilet facilities won’t go far if they are poorly maintained and users are not educated on treating public property well.
Proposal to buy private properties to look after children and the elderly may be well-intentioned but concerns should be addressed.
Proposal to buy private properties to look after children and the elderly may be well-intentioned but concerns should be addressed.
Scheme will be implemented in phases over three to five years, with about 20 pieces of private property acquired each year.
Scheme will be implemented in phases over three to five years, with about 20 pieces of private property acquired each year.
Paul Chan successfully lowered public expectations for his most recent budget and, most unusually for this government, has showed the ability to apologise sincerely.
Paul Chan successfully lowered public expectations for his most recent budget and, most unusually for this government, has showed the ability to apologise sincerely.
Officials want to consolidate several government buildings into one high-rise to house more community facilities and free up land for housing.
Officials want to consolidate several government buildings into one high-rise to house more community facilities and free up land for housing.
It is in Hong Kong’s interest for the Legislative Council to examine the details closely and pass the government budget expeditiously
The value of extra budget money for Hong Kong’s health system should not be at risk of being tangled up in red tape and bureaucracy
The financial secretary has offered Hong Kong neither long-term planning nor shorter-term solutions, and reserves expected to hit HK$1.16 trillion will be put away for another rainy day