Policy Address

Fostering a Supportive Environment for Forming and Raising Families

141.     Fourth, foster a supportive environment.  We will implement measures, which include the child care services and family-friendly practices just mentioned, to help our people realise their aspirations to form and raise families.

142.     The Government will consider providing appropriate financial support.  We will review the child allowance under salaries tax in the coming Budget.  Implementing 15-year free education can also help lessen the financial burden on young parents.  The Committee on Free Kindergarten Education will submit its report to the Government in the middle of this year.

Active Ageing

143.     Our last strategy is to vigorously promote active ageing.  The Government will help the elderly enjoy their retirement life through the Elder Academy Scheme and some 200 elderly centres in the territory.  We will encourage them to actively take part in community activities by promoting senior volunteerism and other programmes.

144.     To create an elderly-friendly environment, the Government is pressing ahead with the extension of the $2 public transport fare concession scheme to green minibuses in phases starting from the end of March this year.  The Universal Accessibility Programme that I mentioned earlier on will also help elderly people move around the community.

145.     We will provide choices of service for the elderly through the Senior Citizen Residences Scheme and the Reverse Mortgage Programme operated by the HKHS and the Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited respectively.

146.     The SCPP will monitor the implementation of the initiatives, and report their effectiveness and seek stakeholders’ comments as appropriate.

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