No cash handout likely from next budget as Hong Kong government faces surplus one-third of this year’s, says executive councillor
- Cabinet member Wong Kwok-kin says gloomy economic outlook means less money to go around but still expects one-off relief measures in February’s budget
- Pro-democracy lawmakers urge government not to use drop in revenue as a reason to make health care cuts
A generous cash handout could be missing from the Hong Kong government’s upcoming budget plan, as the government’s surplus is expected to drop to about a third of the HK$138 billion (US$17.7 billion) figure last year, an executive councillor revealed on Saturday.
The chief executive’s cabinet member, Wong Kwok-kin, who is also a lawmaker with the pro-Beijing Federation of Trade Unions, made the disclosure on Commercial Radio on Saturday. This follows his meeting with Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po late last month.
Chan is set to reveal the new budget plan at the Legislative Council on February 27.
Wong said his party had not called for a cash handout due to the gloomy economic outlook, when he was asked on the programme to give his views on the coming budget.
“From what I gather, this year’s government revenue will be significantly lower … about one third of last year’s,” Wong said.
“I don’t think it is possible to give a big cash handout.”
