If concerns lack ‘real basis’, there is no need for the government to provide additional support, she adds
[SINGAPORE] Anxiety and concerns about the cost of living must be backed by concrete data before the government will increase support, Second Minister for Finance Indranee Rajah said in Parliament on Thursday (Sep 25).
“You have to start first with data, and if sentiment and anxiety is borne out by the data and there is a real need, then of course, we will step in to do more,” she said.
“But if you have a situation where there is anxiety without real basis… then there may not be a need to provide additional support for that,” she added. Rather, the answer would be to address what is causing the public anxiety or concern.
Indranee was responding Jalan Besar MP Shawn Loh, who asked about the government’s approach to cost-of-living support, including its use of data or public sentiment to decide on new measures.
She replied that the government considers factors such as inflation, economic and labour market conditions, fiscal sustainability, as well as the affordability challenges faced by lower and middle-income households.
The government recognises that despite inflation moderating, Singaporeans are still adjusting to higher prices, she said. In response, Budget 2025 included additional support measures like Community Development Council vouchers and U-Save rebates.
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Beyond this immediate help, the government is also strengthening structural social support in areas like housing, healthcare, education, and retirement for long-term assurance.
Indranee said: “We will continue to monitor economic conditions closely and adjust cost of living support as necessary
“In the longer-term, the best way to help Singaporeans is to have broad-based and inclusive real wage growth.”
