Dipped into past reserves only once? 1.9% real NIR?
I refer to the article “Reserves: ‘No’ to dipping into coffers” (Straits Times, Apr 19). Dipped into the past reserves only once? It states that…
Budget
Budget surplus: $3.9b or $36b?
According to the Singapore government’s latest budget statement (http://www.singaporebudget.gov.sg/budget_2013/revenue_expenditure/index.html), the government’s budget surplus was SGD 3.86 bn (SGD 3.61 bn before Net Investment Return Contribution…
Lower & middle-income: low taxes, high benefits?
I refer to the article “Progressivity ‘not for its own sake’” (Straits Times, Mar 8). Tax system helps Singaporeans have better lives? It states that…
What the Budget means for a lower-income Singaporean? (Part 2)
My name is Jane (not my real name). I am a 33 year old Singaporean worker with a basic pay of $500 a month. With…
What the Budget means for a lower-income Singaporean?
My name is John (not my real name). I am a 33 year old Singaporean worker earning $750 a month. Disposable income drop? Before the…
Budget 2013: Real wages will increase? Disposable income drop for some?
I refer to the Budget 2013 speech. Employers will share productivity gains? The core strategy to increase the real wages of lower-income Singaporeans may be…
Budget 2013: Statistics vs Rhetorical outcomes?
I refer to the article “Budget 2013 will be out on Feb 25” (Straits Times, Jan 12). Key focus on productivity again? It states that…
GST Offset much lower now for lower-income?
I refer to the report “800,000 HDB households to receive S$90m worth of U-Save vouchers” (Channel NewsAsia, Dec 31). $4b in 2007 for 5 years?…
SPOR: 259,040 new PRs granted last 5 years, but more than 86,730 gave up?
I refer to the report “Real growth in household incomes over past 5 years despite higher inflation: MOF” (Channel NewsAsia, Dec 26). Real incomes have…
HDB rentals up 10%, but property tax up 118%?
I refer to the report “Property tax rebate for most HDB flat owners” (Channel NewsAsia, Nov 27). One-off rebate? It states that “For a majority…