More Calls For Cash Handouts In Upcoming Budget

People Power lawmaker Ray Chan is calling on the government to give all residents cash handouts in the upcoming budget on Wednesday.

Speaking on a radio programme, Chan predicted the government would have a surplus of HK$150 billion this year.

"Our government has an extremely large budget surplus," he said. "The government still has a lot of money to do the long-term investment and expenditure so our government should not keep too much money in their pocket."

But Business and Professionals Alliance lawmaker, Jeffrey Lam, disagreed. Lam, who is also an executive councillor, said more initiatives should be introduced to help small and medium enterprises and the middle class.

Hong Kong last gave a cash handout in the 2011-2012 financial year while the Macau government has been giving them since 2008.

Lawmakers from across the political spectrum have also called for cash handouts but the government has hinted that this won't happen.

Separately, there have been calls for the budget to provide more resources for the elderly

Lam Ching-choi of the Elderly Commission said more money should be spent on providing the necessary support for old people who wish to stay in their homes, rather than going into care centres. He also said there was a lack of manpower in the sector.

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