Lawmakers call for budget sweeteners, including fresh round of consumption vouchers

G19 - a coalition formed by politically unaffiliated lawmakers called on the city’s finance chief to introduce sweeteners in the city’s upcoming budget, including distributing a new round of consumption vouchers and providing tax deductions.

Architectural, surveying, planning and landscape sector lawmaker Tony Tse Wai-chuen, also the coalition’s convenor, said they have proposed a number of sweeteners for Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po to consider in order to help citizens and businesses who are struggling due to the Covid pandemic.

Tse said during the meeting with Chan, the lawmakers have proposed sweeteners such as distributing a new round of consumption vouchers, reduction of profits and salaries tax,     providing rates concession to ratepayers, and providing a subsidy on electricity charges and public transport expenses.

The coalition also suggested authorities introduce a progressive child allowance for married couples to encourage childbirth.

Meanwhile, Tse said despite their support towards the city’s infrastructure development, they urged authorities to carry out better planning to avoid fiscal pressure arising from the projects, especially when a fiscal deficit is expected.

They also called on authorities to adopt the “affordable users pay” principle in increasing the Motor Vehicles First Registration Tax for luxury cars, as well as increasing the tobacco tax and penalty on traffic offenses.