Cost of living — Topics

25 Feb 2021

Debate on Annual Budget Statement

Saktiandi Supaat praised the Budget's focus on future growth and raised concerns about cost of living, particularly the petrol duty hike, while suggesting ways to support manufacturing talent and digitalisation.
Alex Yam argued for mandatory vaccination to control the pandemic and criticized excessive spending without sustainable funding, using a cookie jar metaphor to caution against over-reliance on reserves.
Rachel Ong highlighted investments in low-income families and proposed long-term mentoring and savings initiatives to support children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Xie Yao Quan discussed the rising healthcare costs and the need for a balanced social compact, emphasizing sustainable subsidies, economic growth, and equitable support for vulnerable groups.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

2 Feb 2021

Efforts to Diversify Food Supplies to Ensure Price Stability of Goods over Chinese New Year Period Due to Disruptions from Movement Control Order and Floods in Malaysia

The Minister acknowledged disruptions from Malaysia's Movement Control Order 2.0 and monsoon floods affecting vegetable prices, while noting the government is monitoring logistics impacts.
A multi-pronged strategy was outlined, including advance planning by retailers to stock alternative produce from various source countries to ensure availability over Chinese New Year.
Singapore continues to diversify food imports from over 170 countries, such as eggs from Ukraine, frozen shrimp from Saudi Arabia, and vegetables from China, to mitigate supply risks.
The government seeks public understanding as extraordinary times may lead to minor disruptions or price volatility despite efforts to protect essential food supplies and maintain stability.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

14 Oct 2020

Basis for Latest Increase in Electricity Tariffs and Gas Prices

The increase in electricity tariffs and gas prices is primarily driven by a rebound in global fuel prices, which have risen by 46.6% in the third quarter of 2020 compared to their lows in April 2020, though current tariffs remain among the lowest since January 2018.
Household electricity and gas consumption increased by 16% and 34% respectively from April to July 2020 due to more time spent at home during the circuit breaker period, with 53% of households affected by the new tariffs while 47% are unaffected due to switching to the Open Electricity Market.
The government is actively promoting alternative energy sources like solar power, aiming to increase solar capacity five-fold by 2030, and has provided extensive financial support through rebates and credits to help households manage utility costs, especially for lower-income groups.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Sep 2020

Cost of Living During COVID-19 and Measures to Monitor and Manage Situation

The Consumer Price Index-All Items declined by 0.2% year-on-year from January to July 2020, driven by lower costs in education, electricity, outpatient services, and petrol, though food prices increased.
The government acknowledges that cost of living remains a concern for Singaporeans affected by employment losses or wage cuts during the COVID-19 economic downturn.
Several support measures have been rolled out, including the Care and Support Package, COVID-19 Support Grant, and SG United Jobs and Skills Package.
The government continues to monitor the situation closely and is prepared to provide additional support if necessary.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Sep 2020

Spike in Households' Utility Bills in July and August 2020

Liang Eng Hwa asked about the reasons for the spike in households’ utility bills in July and August 2020, whether there were errors in meter readings, and if utility prices had increased.
Chan Chun Sing clarified that electricity and town gas tariffs decreased in Q3 2020 and water prices remained unchanged, but higher bills were due to increased usage during warmer months, more time at home during the circuit breaker, and under-estimation of consumption when meter readings were suspended and later adjusted.
He noted that support measures were provided, including a $100 Solidarity Utilities Credit and enhanced GST Voucher–U-Save rebates for eligible households.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

26 Mar 2020

Goods and Services Tax Voucher Fund (Amendment) Bill

The Goods and Services Tax Voucher Fund is being amended to broaden its purpose beyond assisting only the less well-off, allowing it to fund the Assurance Package that cushions the impact of the upcoming GST hike for all Singaporeans during the transition period.
The amendment also expands the forms of support to include grants-in-aid, which can be used to help parents or guardians defray expenses for infants and children under their care.
Several members raised concerns, including suggestions to exempt essential items from GST, the exclusion of migrant workers from receiving GST Vouchers, and questions about whether the Fund’s focus on cash relief for low-income households would be diluted.
The Minister reiterated that the Government remains committed to enhancing the permanent GST Voucher scheme for lower and middle-income households, while prioritizing citizens for transition support and noting that migrant workers’ needs should be addressed through other means.
The Bill was passed after the debate, with the Committee of the Whole House considering and approving it without amendments.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Mar 2020

Study on Impact and Mitigation Factors of Climate Change on Low-income Groups

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Prime Minister whether a study on climate change impacts on low-income groups has been conducted and if its results are available.
Teo Chee Hean responded that the government's climate strategies consider all stakeholders, including low-income and vulnerable groups, through inclusive adaptation and mitigation measures.
Specific initiatives like HDB Green Towns Programme and energy-efficient appliance incentives are designed to reduce utility bills and minimize climate change impacts on low-income households.
Additional financial support, such as GST Voucher – U-Save rebates, is provided to eligible HDB households to cushion the effects of carbon taxes and rising utility costs.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

3 Feb 2020

Update on Review of Developing Different Measures of Inflation for Different Key Demographic Segments of Singaporeans

Leon Perera asked the Minister for Trade and Industry about the outcome of the review to create different inflation measures for various key demographic segments beyond household income groups.
Chan Chun Sing replied that the Department of Statistics already compiles Consumer Price Indices for different household income groups and retiree households.
He added that the Department is currently assessing the feasibility of developing Consumer Price Indices for other key demographic segments, but this process requires time to gather, compile, and analyze relevant data.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Department of Statistics will provide an update once the review is ready.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Jan 2020

Impact of Recent Sharp Price Increases for Imported Meat, Vegetables and Other Food Items on Local Retail Prices

Food price inflation in Singapore has remained stable, with overall non-cooked food prices rising 1.3% year-on-year over October to November, though vegetable prices increased 2.3% partly due to weather disruptions in Malaysia.
The government mitigates price impacts by diversifying food supply sources and building local capacity where feasible to reduce reliance on any single country.
The government is working with the Consumers Association of Singapore to promote consumer awareness, including through a mobile app that helps compare prices for groceries and cooked food.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

2 Sep 2019

Average Savings in Electricity Bills for Households That Switched to Open Electricity Market

Households that switched to a retailer in the Open Electricity Market have saved between 20% to 30% compared to the regulated tariff.
It is too early to determine if the cost savings have led to changes in household electricity consumption patterns since the Open Electricity Market rollout was only completed in May 2019.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Energy Market Authority plan to conduct a study on consumption changes at an appropriate time.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Aug 2019

Impact of Tension in Straits of Hormuz on Singapore's Oil Trade and Electricity Tariffs

Saktiandi Supaat questioned the potential impact of tensions in the Straits of Hormuz on Singapore's oil trade and the risk of sudden electricity tariff spikes for households.
Chan Chun Sing noted the Strait's critical role in global oil transit and that while emergency stocks exist, tensions could pressure oil prices, affecting Singapore's energy-import-dependent economy.
He emphasized Singapore promotes competitive electricity markets, like the Open Electricity Market, to offer households lower prices, with consumers reporting savings of 20-30%.
The government avoids upfront electricity subsidies to prevent over-consumption, instead providing targeted support like GST Voucher–U-Save for lower- and middle-income households.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Aug 2019

Inflation Adjustments for Payouts Under Silver Support Scheme

Ms Foo Mee Har asked whether the Silver Support Scheme payouts will be adjusted for inflation since its 2014 launch and to consider a recent NUS study on seniors' basic needs.
Mrs Josephine Teo explained the scheme's purpose to supplement retirement income for low-income elderly with little family support, noting over 180,000 have received about $1.3 billion since 2016.
The Ministry of Manpower is reviewing the scheme and will take inflation into account, but emphasised that retirement needs are met through multiple sources including CPF, savings, and other government support.
The government highlighted that scheme payouts are designed to be meaningful and fiscally sustainable, considering findings from various sources.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

12 Feb 2019

Study on Retail Electricity Market Liberalisation’s Benefits to Households

The Ministry confirmed that studies and international reviews were conducted before implementing the Open Electricity Market (OEM) to ensure households benefit from greater choice, competitive pricing, and innovative offers without compromising supply reliability.
Data shows that households switching under OEM receive electricity rates about 20% to 30% lower than the previous regulated tariff, with increasing switch rates across rollout zones, indicating growing consumer uptake.
The regulated tariff from SP Group reflects long-term infrastructure costs and is benchmarked internationally, while retailer prices fluctuate with market conditions; consumers can switch back to SP if needed.
The government opted for an opt-in rather than opt-out approach, emphasizing consumer education and active choice to allow households to select plans that best meet their needs over time.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

14 Jan 2019

Latest Figure for Average Household Expenditure on Basic Needs

Leon Perera asked for the latest figures on the Average Household Expenditure on Basic Needs (AHEBN) for different household sizes.
Chan Chun Sing explained that AHEBN estimates the average monthly spending on essentials like food, clothing, and shelter.
The AHEBN for a four-person household was about $1,300 in 2017, with lower amounts for smaller households.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

14 Jan 2019

Factors that Caused Recent Increase in Price of Eggs

The Minister explained that egg prices are influenced by import prices, exchange rates, logistics costs, and supplier profit margins.
He outlined a multi-pronged strategy involving supply diversification, a stable Singapore dollar, and a competitive market to prevent profiteering.
Egg import prices from some sources rose up to 50% between June and November 2018, while others saw declines, leading to a local retail price increase of about 4%.
No evidence was found to conclude that anti-competitive practices caused the price rise, and any evidence should be reported to the relevant authorities for investigation.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

19 Nov 2018

Affordable Cooked Food Prices Despite Merging of Two Food Court Operators

Ministers confirmed that the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore is assessing NTUC Enterprise’s acquisition of Kopitiam and that NTUC Enterprise has committed not to proceed until CCCS decides.
The government does not set cooked food prices but focuses on ensuring affordability through measures like reviewing HDB tender mechanisms and building more hawker centres and eating houses.
Er Dr Lee Bee Wah raised concerns about Kopitiam’s operation of coffee shops and potential underuse of stalls, but the response indicated that specific management issues fall outside the Trade and Industry Ministry’s purview.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

1 Oct 2018

Cost Savings with Liberalisation of Electricity Market for Jurong Region

Foo Mee Har asked for the number of eligible households in Jurong that switched from SP Group to alternative electricity providers and the average cost savings since the market liberalisation on 1 April 2018.
Chan Chun Sing confirmed that over 30% of the 120,000 eligible households in Jurong had switched to retailers as of mid-September 2018, with these households paying an average electricity rate 20% lower than the regulated tariff.
The Open Electricity Market soft launch in Jurong was successful and will be extended to the rest of Singapore from 1 November 2018, with consumers able to remain with SP Group at the regulated tariff if they prefer.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

11 Jul 2018

Measures to Keep Cost of Food at Coffee Shops Affordable

Minister Lawrence Wong outlined HDB’s plan to use the Price-Quality Method (PQM) for all coffee shop tenders to prioritize affordable food options, replacing the current e-bidding system.
Er Dr Lee Bee Wah highlighted concerns that e-bidding leads to unsustainable high rents, causing coffee shop closures and inconvenience to residents in Nee Soon South.
The Minister emphasized HDB’s strategy to maintain healthy price competition through sufficient coffee shops in HDB estates and continuous review of tendering mechanisms.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Jul 2018

Measures to Mitigate Increasing Cost of Living

The Minister for Trade and Industry outlined that while overall inflation remains low, specific groups like retirees and low-income households face higher cost pressures, and the government has adopted an eight-pronged strategy to manage living costs, including keeping the economy competitive, managing the Singapore dollar’s strength, and promoting market competition.
The government focuses targeted help on those most in need, such as through U-Save rebates and subsidies, while also enabling consumer choice and leveraging social enterprises like NTUC to benchmark prices and provide affordable options, acknowledging the challenge of "higher sticker prices" that may psychologically impact consumers.
During the debate, MPs raised concerns about the sandwich middle-income group, rising food and rental costs, and anti-profiteering, with the Minister responding that strategies like consumer education, wage growth support, and open market initiatives aim to address these issues, while emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to protect consumers without stifling business innovation.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

9 Jul 2018

Ensuring Comparable Food Prices at Hawker Stalls and Coffee Shops in New HDB Estates vs-a-vis Those in Mature Estates

The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources does not regulate food prices but ensures affordable options are available at hawker centres by disallowing stall subletting and removing reserve rent to moderate rentals.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) uses competitive bidding for vacant stalls, with about 40% awarded below 85% of market rent, and promotes productivity measures like centralised dishwashing and e-payments to help hawkers manage costs.
New hawker centres, including those in Sengkang, Tampines, and Sembawang, are required to offer affordable meals, such as the $2.80 local food option at Hawker Centre @ Our Tampines Hub, to support price comparability across estates.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source