Letters | Hong Kong mustn’t balance its books on the backs of the most vulnerable

Readers discuss the government plan to cut spending by 7 per cent over three years, and the proposed amendment to the bill protecting the harbour

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A woman collecting cardboard on the streets of Wan Chai on October 2, 2024. Photo: Edmond So

Published: 11:30am, 18 Mar 2025

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In these challenging financial times, I must speak up about how the planned budget reductions could affect our community’s most vulnerable members. As a Legislative Council member representing social welfare, I have seen first-hand how those already struggling might face even greater hardships.

Our sector has already tightened its belt by 10 per cent since the early 2000s while still delivering the full suite of services. In reality, due to increasing social demands – an ageing population, growing poverty rates and the needs of disabled people and their carers – social welfare organisations are already working beyond their limits.

The maths doesn’t add up: when 80 per cent of costs usually go to salaries, a 7 per cent cut (HK$1.6 billion) could mean saying goodbye to 3,500 social workers. This isn’t trimming the fat – it’s cutting into bone.

The government should be working to drive both economic and social development, ensuring everyone benefits from our progress. Public finance should be used to build a safety net so nobody falls through the cracks.

Commenting on the US Department of Government Efficiency’s efforts, Linda Bilmes, Harvard University professor and former chief financial officer at the US Department of Commerce, warned that across-the-board cuts could result in more problems than they solve. Former White House adviser Roger B. Porter advocates “taking actions that would ensure that the things that matter most are not at the mercy of the things that matter least” in the pursuit of achieving efficiency.

I support improving efficiency – reorganising staff and streamlining processes to reduce costs makes sense. But we need to be thoughtful about it.