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Indranee Rajah on supporting Singaporeans in starting and raising families

44:50 Min

Supporting Singaporeans in starting and raising families has been and continues to be a top national priority, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah, who oversees the National Population and Talent Division. In Parliament on Wednesday (Feb 5), she said families are the building blocks of Singapore society, the first line of support and a key pillar of the country’s social compact. She outlined details of how, in the past five years, the Government has made “major shifts and bold moves” to help families secure affordable homes, manage the costs and stresses of raising children and balance work and family responsibilities. While a wide range of financial support is already available, a new scheme for large families is on the way with details to be announced in Budget 2025. Ms Indranee said that factoring in investments in the early childhood sector and upcoming parental leave enhancements, marriage and parenthood initiatives are expected to cost the Government close to S$7 billion in FY 2026, up from over S$4 billion in 2020. However, support for families goes beyond what the Government can do, she said. A whole-of-society approach is needed if Singapore is to succeed in having more marriages and babies. The minister also explained why she could not support an amendment to the motion on the issue proposed by NCMP Leong Mun Wai, which called for a “reimagination” of Government policies.

Supporting Singaporeans in starting and raising families has been and continues to be a top national priority, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah, who oversees the National Population and Talent Division. In Parliament on Wednesday (Feb 5), she said families are the building blocks of Singapore society, the first line of support and a key pillar of the country’s social compact. She outlined details of how, in the past five years, the Government has made “major shifts and bold moves” to help families secure affordable homes, manage the costs and stresses of raising children and balance work and family responsibilities. While a wide range of financial support is already available, a new scheme for large families is on the way with details to be announced in Budget 2025. Ms Indranee said that factoring in investments in the early childhood sector and upcoming parental leave enhancements, marriage and parenthood initiatives are expected to cost the Government close to S$7 billion in FY 2026, up from over S$4 billion in 2020. However, support for families goes beyond what the Government can do, she said. A whole-of-society approach is needed if Singapore is to succeed in having more marriages and babies. The minister also explained why she could not support an amendment to the motion on the issue proposed by NCMP Leong Mun Wai, which called for a “reimagination” of Government policies.

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