Mr Shanmugam said the Government wants a society where people look after one another, especially those who cannot help themselves.
"There's a lot of debate on whether you can survive in Singapore on S$1,000 or S$850. We don't want anyone to earn that amount, which is why we give opportunities for people to upgrade themselves. And education is made, literally free, for those who can't afford to pay for it," he said.
This year's doubling of healthcare spending and help for the low income as well as the disabled, all point towards an inclusive approach.
Mr Shanmugam said the Government wants to look out for the young and old alike.
"Because we have an ageing population, we must also make sure that our younger people, those in their 20s, 30s, 40s, are not saddled with a heavy tax burden," he said.
The Government also ensures that tax rates in Singapore remain competitive. Rather than increasing taxes, he noted that the Government would rather people keep their money and support those in need.
"When I talk to my grassroots leaders, I just did a walkabout in my constituency, we also have to send another message, which is that, only about 50 per cent of Singaporeans pay taxes. And you look at all the other fees and everything else that's collected, in terms of what the Government gets, and what it spends, it is all in the book."
- http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120312-0000040/Looking-out-for-the-young-and-old
================================
GST Is So Fair
I am 85, retired, unemployed, why am I paying GST?
I am 70, retired, unemployed, why am I paying GST?
I am 60, lost my job and unemployed. Why am I paying GST?
I am 10, still in school, why am I paying GST?
I am 3, in nursery, why am I paying GST?
I am 3 months old, in my mother’s womb. Why am I paying GST?
- http://mysingaporenews.blogspot.com/2012/03/gst-is-fair.html
"There's a lot of debate on whether you can survive in Singapore on S$1,000 or S$850. We don't want anyone to earn that amount, which is why we give opportunities for people to upgrade themselves. And education is made, literally free, for those who can't afford to pay for it," he said.
This year's doubling of healthcare spending and help for the low income as well as the disabled, all point towards an inclusive approach.
Mr Shanmugam said the Government wants to look out for the young and old alike.
"Because we have an ageing population, we must also make sure that our younger people, those in their 20s, 30s, 40s, are not saddled with a heavy tax burden," he said.
The Government also ensures that tax rates in Singapore remain competitive. Rather than increasing taxes, he noted that the Government would rather people keep their money and support those in need.
"When I talk to my grassroots leaders, I just did a walkabout in my constituency, we also have to send another message, which is that, only about 50 per cent of Singaporeans pay taxes. And you look at all the other fees and everything else that's collected, in terms of what the Government gets, and what it spends, it is all in the book."
- http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120312-0000040/Looking-out-for-the-young-and-old
================================
GST Is So Fair
I am 85, retired, unemployed, why am I paying GST?
I am 70, retired, unemployed, why am I paying GST?
I am 60, lost my job and unemployed. Why am I paying GST?
I am 10, still in school, why am I paying GST?
I am 3, in nursery, why am I paying GST?
I am 3 months old, in my mother’s womb. Why am I paying GST?
- http://mysingaporenews.blogspot.com/2012/03/gst-is-fair.html
