Budget 2026 will protect and support Singaporeans in a changed global economic environment. Coming in at a record $154.7 billion, the PAP government will invest significantly into supporting families, workers and our overall security, as well as forming a major new multi-Ministry National AI Council that harnesses artificial intelligence (AI) for our future.
PAP MPs reacted positively to PM Wong’s Budget speech, and how it continues to take Singapore forward.
Jasmin Lau and Goh Hanyan want Singaporeans to use AI tools safely, and with trust
Source: Jasmin Lau / Facebook, Goh Hanyan / Facebook
The new National AI Council comes about from recommendations by the Economic Strategy Review Committee (Technology & Innovation). Other Committee recommendations resulted in four National AI Missions to transform advanced manufacturing, connectivity, finance, and healthcare. There is also a new AI Park at One-North for industry, researchers, and practitioners to collaborate on projects and brainstorm ideas.
Committee co-Chairs MP Jasmin Lau (Ang Mo Kio GRC) and MP Goh Hanyan (Nee Soon GRC) welcomed the Budget’s steps to harness AI. They continue encouraging people to embrace AI.
“Pushing the top is not enough. The gains get concentrated. How do we ensure that the benefits are diffused across the economy?” said MP Goh. “That only happens when companies, big and small, workers, up and down the ladder, all of them are able to benefit from this technology. Can they see their jobs become more meaningful, better and become more competitive?”
They see continued Government leadership being vital for Singapore — and Singaporeans — successfully harnessing AI.
“[People must] recognise this is not a specialist tool.” said MP Lau. “That very base layer of literacy, I think we must do for the entire population. And the Government plays a big role.”
Desmond Choo and Goh Pei Ming are helping workers and people with disabilities
Source: Desmond Choo / Facebook, Goh Pei Ming / Facebook
Budget 2026 will offer strong support for employment and jobseekers. One of the key measures will be to streamline employment help for Singaporean workers more efficiently by merging Workforce Singapore (WSG) and SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) into a new statutory board jointly overseen by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Ministry of Education (MOE).
“The merger of WSG and SSG will further strengthen support for graduates by bringing skills training, career guidance and job matching together in one place and continuum,” said MP Desmond Choo (Tampines Changkat SMC), who has been keenly championing the rights of younger workers.
For people with disabilities (PWDs), Budget 2026 includes the new Taskforce on Assurance for Families with Persons with Disabilities. The Taskforce will provide more meaningful support for PWDs and their caregivers.
“This includes expanding capacity in community-based facilities, keeping services affordable, and supporting graduates of special education schools to secure meaningful employment and live well in the community,” said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, reiterating that supporting support for PWDs is a key priority for the PAP Government.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Goh Pei Ming will lead the Taskforce.
“Caregivers also told us about their ongoing challenges,” said MOS Goh, who is also MP for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC. (14 Feb) “They hope for a simpler process to navigate the various services and support systems. We value such feedback.”
“In the months ahead, we will continue to listen carefully and work closely with different stakeholders within the disability landscape,” he added.
Shawn Loh outlines the “Singapore Stability Premium” and a post-Budget dialogue for Whampoa
Source: Shawn Loh/ Facebook
MP Shawn Loh (Jalan Besar GRC) has had strong policy experiences, having been Budget director in 2024 and 2025. He sees Budget 2026’s strong budget surplus ($15.1 billion) as a result of important pro-job policies instituted in previous budgets, that have made Singapore attractive to foreign investors.
“[The] usual rule of thumb is that corporate income tax contributes 3 per cent of GDP [Gross Domestic Product]. For the last few years, it’s gone up to 4 per cent,” said MP Loh (12 Feb).
“That 1 percentage …is a significant bumper crop of surpluses from corporates paying taxes in Singapore that we should be very very thankful for, and is a large driver of the budget surplus.”
“It is because of previous Budgets that invested in making Singapore a great place to do business, a safe place to do business, and a stable place to continue your business,” continued MP Loh.
He added that Singapore’s defence security programmes bolster Singapore’s business stability. “All that contributes to an environment that seems to give us an additional ‘Singapore Stability Premium’,” he said.
MP Loh held a Post-Budget Dialogue with his Whampoa and Jalan Besar residents on Saturday, 21 February, to explain support measures for young parents and fresh graduates. Over the coming weeks, PAP MPs all over Singapore will host similar Dialogues for their residents.
