Specific Measures

One-Off Relief Measures

85.     We are not optimistic about global economic prospects next year.  We may see inflation and recession come one after the other.  In response to this, we will implement short-term measures to ease the burden on the grassroots.  After consulting the Financial Secretary, I propose to implement the following measures next year:

(i)         Paying two months' rent for around 700 000 public housing tenants, with an expenditure of about $1.9 billion; and
(ii)        Providing an extra allowance to CSSA recipients, equal to one month of the standard rate, and an extra one-month allowance to OAA and DA recipients, with an expenditure of more than $1.9 billion.

When preparing the Budget for the next financial year, the Financial Secretary will assess the prevailing economic situation and our financial position to work out the implementation details.  The purpose is to help the grassroots cope with the possible economic downturn in 2012.  If necessary, we will consider further measures such as tax concessions.

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