Budget debate 2024: Joan Pereira on support for large families and the sandwiched generation

Peg CDC Vouchers to the number of people in a household, suggested MP Joan Pereira in Parliament on Monday (Feb 26). She said several generations of an extended family may live at one address for financial reasons; on the other hand, those who choose to live together for mutual care should not be “penalised”. Ms Pereira also asked if assistance similar to the Silver Support Scheme could be introduced for seniors who earned little during their working years and now live with family members in the lower- and middle-income brackets. She said this could help ease the burden on the sandwiched generation who must support their elderly parents and their children while trying to save for their own retirement needs. She also raised concerns for families who need a car to ferry young children and elderly parents, but find this difficult to afford. She asked if the Government would consider “recalibrating” the COE system to take into account changing car usage patterns, including the rise in car-sharing services, while keeping car ownership affordable for families who need it.