The PAP Government has been, and will continue to strengthen Singapore’s social system, Prime Minster Lawrence Wong said.
At the launch of the seventh tranche of the Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers scheme on May 13 at Nee Soon South Community Centre, PM Wong noted that the vouchers are part of a comprehensive package of support measures that were announced in Budget 2025, with another $300 in CDC vouchers to be issued in January 2026.
Singaporean households can now claim and use $500 in CDC vouchers from May 13 to help them with their daily expenses. Half – $250 – of the vouchers can be used at supermarkets, with the other half at participating heartland merchants and hawkers. This tranche of vouchers will be valid till Dec 31, 2025.
PM Wong said: “We have been, and we will continue to review, update and strengthen our social system across different areas, be it housing, healthcare, education or retirement.
“We have started this process recently through Forward Singapore, and we will continue in the coming years.
“All these updates, changes, improvements to policies, will help to provide Singaporeans with greater assurance through every life stage.”
Besides the CDC vouchers, all adult Singaporeans will receive one-off SG60 vouchers in July to celebrate Singapore’s 60th year of independence. Those aged 60 and above will get $800.
Parents with children aged 12 and below will receive LifeSG credits, and those aged 13 to 20 will receive a top-up to their Edusave account or Post-Secondary Education Account. Households will also receive U-Save rebates.
PM Wong also assured Singaporeans that the CDC vouchers are not a one-off exercise to help Singaporeans cope with cost-of-living issues, the government will “provide help for as long as it is needed”.
PAP Government ensures sustainable long-term spending
Addressing the sustainability of the vouchers programme, and the necessity for a GST hike, PM Wong said maintaining fiscal responsibility has always been the government’s approach.
“We want to make sure that when we spend more, we are doing it for the benefit of Singaporeans, but the spending is sustainable over the medium to longer term,” he said.
PM Wong explained that the government decided to increase taxes earlier in the decade due to a funding gap in public finances. Singapore’s finance expenditure was going to rise, but revenues were not sufficient to cover the spending.
“It was a difficult decision to make. It was certainly not popular, but it was the right thing to do, and it was a responsible thing to do.
“Because we did that, today, we are in a healthy and sound fiscal position, and today we have the resources we need to protect Singaporeans, to shield you from cost-of-living increases.”
“We have the resources to steer Singapore through the economic storms that we see coming ahead of us. That is precisely what good and responsible government is, and we will continue with this.”
Five mayors – Low Yen Ling, Denise Phua, Desmond Choo, Alex Yam and Mohd Fahmi Aliman were also at the launch of the latest tranche of CDC vouchers.
Ms Low highlighted how the CDC vouchers scheme has boosted local heartland businesses, citing Yanti’s House of Fashion in Jurong West as an example. The 40-year-old shop owner, Ms Yanti, has gained a neighbourhood following of “makciks”, Malay aunties. Since joining the scheme three-and-a-half years ago, the store has experienced higher customer traffic.
Ms Low said: “Every voucher spent is a show of support for your favourite hawker or the neighbourhood shop – these local businesses form a vital part of our social fabric.”
