Some credit the recent Singapore Budget as being responsible and responsive. Many ministries face spending cuts, while infrastructure spending will increase to position Singapore for "vibrant and innovative" economic growth.
Other comments focus on the goods and services tax, which will be increased by 2 percentage points some time from 2021 to 2025. Fears are that this will hurt the average consumer's pockets. In response, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat highlighted the necessity of the tax hike for a "very important purpose" to finance Singapore's rising expenditure needs. Higher social spending will aim to ensure that no one is left behind.
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