Around 1.4 million Singaporean households will each receive SGD500 (US$394) in Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers this year, which can be used at heartland merchants, hawkers and supermarkets, according to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
Pedestrians cross a street at the Orchard Road shopping district in Singapore on March 12, 2015. Photo by AFP |
“Although inflation has eased in recent years, we know that many Singaporeans still face anxieties and pressures. So, we will continue to provide additional support this year,” said the PM said earlier.
To gauge public reaction following the Budget, AsiaOne’s consumer insights and analytics team analysed over 8,300 comments across 116 social media posts shared by news outlets and local politicians from both the ruling party and the opposition.
Some social media users voiced frustration that the voucher amount may not sufficiently offset higher living costs.
“Please just address salaries and housing costs instead of vouchers as a band-aid,” one user wrote.
Some Singaporeans are experiencing what they described as “voucher fatigue,” and are instead calling for price controls on essential goods as well as annual cash payouts.
More incentives are expected this year. PM Wong has announced a Cost-of-Living Special Payment in this year’s national budget.
About 2.4 million Singaporeans will receive between SGD200 and SGD400 in September, along with up to SGD570 in rebates to help Housing Board flat residents with utility bills.
Other budget measures for families include SGD500 in Child LifeSG credits for Singaporean children aged 12 and below, which can be used for groceries and utilities, as well as an increase in the monthly household income ceiling for preschool subsidies from SGD12,000 to SGD15,000.
AsiaOne’s analysis found that posts attracting the highest engagement were those calling for a complete smoking ban. These made up 8% of total comments on the tobacco excise duty.
Posts concerning Singapore’s foreign workforce policies accounted for 5% of comments, ranking third in share.
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