Straitstimes.com header logo

Key announcements from PM Wong’s Budget 2026

This year’s Budget is the first step in refreshing Singapore’s strategies for a more uncertain and fractured world, he said.

Budget 2026: 10 highlights from PM Wong’s speech

image-alt

Budget 2026: Goodies Singaporeans will get – from CDC vouchers to LifeSG credits for children

image-alt

Budget 2026 lays groundwork to refresh Singapore’s strategies for a more uncertain world: PM Wong

image-alt

Straits Times Index crosses 5,000 mark for the first time

image-alt

Grieving Canada town holds vigil for school shooting victims

School stabbing: Malaysian teen pleads not guilty to murder of schoolmate in 2025

Police probing alleged assault of woman at Lucky Plaza mall

Trending

Budget 2026

Donald Trump

Bangladesh

Infectious diseases

Belt and Road Initiative

Shorts
PM Wong announces reduced vehicle PARF rebate, 20% hike to tobacco tax | Budget 2026

1:18

Singapore to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities to deal with advanced cyberthreats | Budget 2026

1:46

Singapore Government to help workers build practical AI capabilities | Budget 2026

2:05

$500 CDC vouchers for all Singaporean households in January 2027 | Budget 2026

1:14

Grace Fu emphasises importance of regional cooperation on managing haze

2:25

Brawl in Turkey’s Parliament over controversial appointment of justice minister

0:38

Pam Bondi clashes with lawmakers in tense hearing over DOJ’s handling of Epstein files

1:25

Inside Malaysia's East Coast Rail Link train

0:51

'IKEA moment’ for AI has arrived in S'pore but we aren’t satisfied: Josephine Teo

2:19

Singapore

Budget 2026: 6 ways S’pore will invest in building its AI strengths

An inter-ministerial committee will be established to drive the Republic’s national AI agenda.

PM Lawrence Wong laid out how the country would invest in AI in his Budget 2026 speech.

SkillsFuture Singapore, Workforce Singapore to merge into new statutory board

Workers to get help building practical AI capabilities, starting with accountancy and law

Companies to receive tax deductions on AI spending, more support to employ tools

Asia
image-alt

Why Malaysia’s latest judicial commissioner picks are reviving worries about court independence

image-alt

President Lai warns countries in region could be ‘next’ if China seizes Taiwan

image-alt

Democracy and reforms at stake as Bangladesh gets first ‘real vote’ in national poll in over a decade 

image-alt

Indonesia to send up to 4,000 peacekeeping troops to Gaza in support of BOP, says official

Opinion

Can Europe survive Trump’s ‘wrecking ball’ politics?

Jonathan Eyal

avatar-alt

Beware the Gx world that awaits us

Warren Fernandez

Pointed signals: Why Singapore is standing its ground on cyberthreats

Bhavan Jaipragas

avatar-alt

A love letter to Singapore’s disappearing past

Deanna Nabilah

Visual stories

Sumiko at 62: Four simple exercises to improve balance

image-alt

The Week in Pictures: Winter Olympics action, Thailand and Japan go to the polls

image-alt

Sweat, mud, and tears: How Basic Military Training turns boys into men

image-alt

Made in the US, sourced globally: Why American firms aren’t spared the impact of Trump’s tariffs

image-alt

The BMT Journey: Inside Basic Military Training Centre’s School 2

image-alt

Coming to a road near you: How Singapore’s traffic signs are being upgraded

image-alt

Who goes missing in Singapore?

image-alt

Why did my polytechnic diploma disappear?

image-alt

How are Singapore’s youth hashing out their career aspirations?

image-alt

2025 in visual stories and digital graphics

image-alt
Podcasts
image-alt

In Your Opinion Podcast

Temporary or permanent relief? The future of CDC vouchers
image-alt

Health Check Podcast

Is it safe to exercise with joint pain? An orthopaedic surgeon explains
image-alt

Asian Insider podcast

Hong Kong’s tolerance for shortcuts has turned deadly
image-alt

ST Podcasts

Explore The Straits Times’ podcasts
navigation-bar-logo
Headstart
Latest
Money Mentor
Work Bestie
Life Guide
About Headstart

Young & Savvy

Career road bumps can hurt, but I learnt that no experiences are wasted

The new skills picked up in a job taught the writer a lot about stepping out of her comfort zone.

The new skills picked up in a job taught the writer a lot about stepping out of her comfort zone, and about resilience and adaptability.

Meet the young people in Singapore ‘stacking’ overseas internships to get ahead

‘Thanks, I made it myself’: How these handy Singaporeans DIY-ed renovation works for their spaces

Me and My Money: AXS boss’ meals from hawkers come with a side dish of lessons on payment challenges

Video: Can Singapore really be friends with everyone?

askST Jobs: I feel overqualified at work. Should I move to a new role?

Employees can expand their existing role by taking on more complex problems, leading initiatives beyond one’s formal remit, or building skills that the organisation will need next.

‘Like scrapbooking, but on a bag’: Why Singapore girls are spending big on ita-bags

Polytechnic students Phoebe Ang (right), 18, polytechnic student, and Aryaan Yew, 22, with their Ita-bags on Feb 1, 2025.

Headstart On Record Podcast

Investing in stocks or stuff?

Is it better to buy stocks or invest in tangible things?
Most popular

1

TB outbreak in Malaysia: Mask up when travelling during festive period, experts say

2

Father of 6-year-old killed in Chinatown accident offered free accommodation in S’pore by Ascott

3

Over 55,000 non-Muslim Malaysians married foreigners from 2019-2025; S’poreans among top 3 on list

4

Jail, caning for man who lied that he was 15 and raped 13-year-old girl

5

Temporary or permanent relief? The future of CDC vouchers

6

A spat between a restaurant and an influencer was out of control. Then Beijing stepped in

7

Budget 2026: How to get live updates on PM Lawrence Wong’s speech

8

Grandsons of OCBC’s founding father buy Barker Rd bungalow for $43.2m, Sentosa condos for $23.9m

9

More support for workers to be announced at Budget 2026: PM Wong

10

Racing ahead: With fewer acting jobs, Shaun Chen charges on as a first-time film producer

Branded content
Grain-fed pigs, modern tech: Where to get ‘sweeter’, more tender pork for your CNY feast
FairPrice Group brings in fresh Malaysia pork via its subsidiary OJJ, with live pigs arriving by boat before being butchered and packed locally for optimal quality.
Why this S'porean lawyer spends her evenings mastering intricate footwork
How one entrepreneur scaled her business – and the platform that helped her get there
Using global payments platform Airwallex for its finance operations has made it much easier for Motherswork to scale the business abroad, says founder and chief executive officer Sharon Wong.
This cream ‘melts like snow’, won't weigh down sensitive skin
Vaseline Pro Derma Ultra Moisturising Body Cream being applied on dry skin
‘I don't want my children to argue about my care’: Why this mother created an LPA
With her husband's Lasting Power of Attorney in place, Mrs Toh Boon Keng was able to make swift medical and financial decisions when he lost mental capacity.
How working adults are future-proofing their careers without disruption
IAL's CPD courses provide accessible learning opportunities for working professionals looking to build new skills alongside their daily commitments.

E-paper

Newsletters

Podcasts

RSS Feed

About Us

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Need help? Reach us here.

Advertise with us

Download the app

Get unlimited access to exclusive stories and incisive insights from the ST newsroom
Subscribe Placeholder
MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.