Non-Constituency MP and Progress Singapore Party ( PSP) chief Hazel Poa echoed Mr Singh’s sentiments, arguing that the GST increase has contributed to the higher cost of living in Singapore.
” Let us also not overlook that larger deficits that enter the resources result in higher cost burdens on citizens when the government collects more money than is needed to pay for public programs,” she said.  ,
MP Foo Mee Har ( PAP-West Coast ) said questions about whether the GST increase could have been delayed was” 20/20 hindsight”. She continued, adding that the unforeseen surplus was mostly attributable to the high corporate income tax revenue.  ,
It is advisable to sustain “fiscal arid powder” to respond to unforeseen financial shocks, said Ms Foo.  ,
She also criticized WP and PSP’s plans to finance recurring bills through property sales.  ,
” Had we followed this way, Singapore may be facing the same fiscal threats as Hong Kong today”, said Ms Foo, adding that Singapore’s method is more secure and forwards looking.  ,
HELPING FAMILIES AFTER THEIR BIRTH RATE, MIDDLE DOWN, AND
MP Lim Biow Chuan ( PAP-Mountbatten ) praised the financial support provided to large families, but questioned whether it had a positive impact on encouraging couples to have more children.
If this is the program’s purpose, the government has “go back to the drawing table” to understand why some couples are not having kids.
Singaporeans need to reinvent success because they lead lives that are difficult, according to Mr. Lim.  ,
Adding that he has received emails from officials late at night, he pointed out:” If the whole legal company were to follow the lead of their ministers, then unfortunately, all of us will have a difficult living” . ,
He urged the government to review the practice of working long and tiring hours and do a” complete research” to determine whether better habits would make it possible for Singaporeans to regard having bigger people.  ,
In 2023, Singapore’s tenant total fertility rate dropped below 1.0 for the first time.