One-off relief measures proposed
October 12, 2011
Chief Executive Donald Tsang proposes implementing one-off relief measures, such as paying two months’ rent for public housing tenants.
In his 2011-12 Policy Address today, Mr Tsang proposed paying two months’ rent for 700,000 public housing tenants, costing $1.9 billion.
He also proposed providing an extra allowance to Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients, equal to one month of the standard rate, and an extra one-month allowance to old age and disability assistance recipients, costing more than $1.9 billion.
He said the Financial Secretary will assess the economic situation and the Government’s financial position to form the implementation details when preparing the Budget for the next financial year. He will also consider further measures such as tax concessions if needed.
He added the Government will soon ask the Legislative Council to approve the use of the $100 million already earmarked to continue and improve its short-term food assistance service.
The Social Welfare Department will closely monitor the operation of the service and the Government will allocate an additional $100 million to it if needed.
