Critical for Govt to Fight Inequality, or ‘Two Singapores’ Could Emerge: Pritam Singh

The 2023 Budget has been referred to as a “Robin Hood” budget in various media outlets, noted Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh in Parliament on Feb. 22. He explained that this label might create a division between high earners and the lower and middle classes, which Singapore must guard against.

Singh emphasized that Singapore’s social compact should move forward together, especially in tackling the unpredictable future. He stressed the importance of the government making the fight against inequality a central policy agenda and intervening to help those at the bottom.

Addressing concerns about societal division, Singh warned that failing to address inequality could lead to “two Singapores.” One Singapore is connected to the world as a global hub, with high salaries and opportunities, while the other is where the majority of Singaporeans face slowing social mobility, high housing prices, and unaffordable luxuries such as cars.

He urged the government to continue focusing on redistributive policies, citing measures like raising taxes on high-end properties and luxury goods in the Budget as steps in the right direction. Singh also highlighted the need for continued support for disadvantaged children, emphasizing that government efforts to fight inequality should remain a priority.

In his speech, Singh discussed specific areas of the Budget, including the Job-Skills Integrators initiative, the extension of paternity leave, and the raising of the CPF salary ceiling. He called for greater transparency in public housing costs and urged the government to make housing more affordable and accessible for future generations.

The Workers’ Party supports the 2023 Budget Statement, Singh concluded, stressing the importance of balancing global competitiveness with the need to ensure that all Singaporeans share in the nation’s prosperity.