Poll shows Singaporeans' support of Budget 2012 initiatives

SINGAPOREANS are strongly supportive of Budget 2012 policies aimed at helping lower-income families, the elderly population and those with disabilities, but less so towards initiatives like reducing the inflow of foreign workers.

This is shown in the results of a telephone poll released on Sunday by the government feedback unit, Reach. The poll was conducted via random phone calls to 868 respondents aged 18 and above, from Feb 22 to March 2.

Amongst the Budget policies unveiled on Feb 17, three stood out as the most well received, with over 90 per cent of respondents saying they agreed or strongly agreed with them:

- 91.9 per cent were in favour of enhancing pre-school subsidies by raising the monthly household income ceiling for the Ministry of Education's (MOE) Financial Assistance Scheme and Student Care Fee Assistance Scheme.

- 91.7 per cent were supportive of increasing the number of places in centres for children who need intensive early intervention and a new programme "Development Support Programme".

- 91.1 per cent were also in favour of increasing subsidies for Intermediate and Long-Term Care (ILTC) services will help to make healthcare more affordable and accessible to Singaporeans.

However, there were also three Budget policies which were less well received:

- With regard to the $20,000 Silver Housing Bonus and the enhanced Lease Buyback Scheme, which will help older Singaporeans free up money for their retirement, only 68.1 per cent indicated they agreed or strongly agreed with it.

- 68.1 per cent were in favour of reducing the inflow of foreign workers, to spur productivity and encourage companies to upgrade and design better jobs.

- Fewer than seven out of 10 respondents, or 69.4 per cent, supported the introduction of a calibrated reduction in Dependency Ratio Ceilings (DRCs) in the manufacturing and services sectors to contain our dependence on foreign workers.

On the whole, an overwhelming majority of 93.1 per cent showed support of the Budget's theme of "A Fair and Inclusive Society", with its initiatives aimed at uplifting lower-income families, helping our seniors live long and well, and supporting Singaporeans with disabilities.

More than 85 per cent of respondents also agreed that Budget 2012 marked a step-up in support of these three groups of Singaporeans.