Economy & business

Gerald Giam Yean Song questioned the Minister for Manpower about the number of Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme (SIRS) recipients who were later deemed ineligible and the process surrounding refunds. Tan See Leng explained that SIRS, initiated in 2020 to assist self-employed individuals affected by COVID-19, had approximately 2,200 recipients (about 1%) found ineligible after audits. The Ministry of Manpower has been reaching out to these individuals for refund requests once audits were complete, emphasizing that each appeal will be considered individually to ensure a fair process.

Low Wu Yang Andre questioned the Minister for Digital Development and Information about the allocation of support for AI adoption among SMEs, specifically regarding micro and small enterprises compared to medium enterprises. Mrs. Josephine Teo responded that the Infocomm Media Development Authority's CTO-as-a-Service platform facilitates access to AI resources for SMEs, with the Productivity Solutions Grant designed to be easily accessible to small and micro enterprises. In 2024, nearly 3,000 SMEs, including micro enterprises, adopted AI-enabled solutions. Additionally, the Heartland Enterprise Centre Singapore provides training for heartland merchants on digital skills, including basic AI tools.

Cai Yinzhou raised questions about the closure of 24.5% of sea-based fish farms in 2024, specifically regarding the number of farms that received government grants, the total value of those grants, and measures to reduce future closures. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that six of the 26 closed farms received nearly $700,000 in grants to enhance productivity, all meeting grant conditions. The Singapore Food Agency is working with farms to improve commercial viability through initiatives like biosecurity strengthening and technology adoption. Despite a decrease in the number of farms, overall sector productivity increased from 38.6 tonnes per hectare in 2023 to 40.7 tonnes per hectare in 2024.

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked about the Ministry of Home Affairs' plans to address bulk order scams affecting hawkers and small retailers. He requested measures to enhance awareness, strengthen safeguards, and provide support for victims. K Shanmugam referred to a previous response given on September 26, 2025, regarding these scams and the measures in place to protect small businesses.

Alex Yeo asked about the progress of investigations into cases of alleged impersonation of SAF personnel making fraudulent bulk orders and the Police's plans to advise small businesses on necessary precautions. K Shanmugam referred Yeo to a previous response given on 26 September 2025 regarding the increase in fake bulk order scams and measures to protect small businesses.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik raised questions regarding the Debt Collection Act that began on 1 December 2023, specifically about complaints and misconduct related to debt collection agencies. K Shanmugam responded that there have been eight cases of unlicensed debt collection activities since the Act's commencement, with police issuing stern warnings to three companies while investigations continue for the others. The police do not track the customers of debt collection agencies, and none of the cases reported involve debts from public hospitals.

He Ting Ru asked about the average carbon tax rate paid by taxable facilities over the last five years and the impact of allowances on reducing carbon emissions. Gan Kim Yong replied that the average carbon tax rate from 2019 to 2023 was $5 per metric tonne of carbon dioxide. He also clarified that the provision of allowances began in 2024 and that companies receiving these allowances must submit credible net-zero decarbonisation plans, which are subject to government review and accountability.

Lee Hong Chuang asked if the government would enhance annual LifeSG credits for children aged seven to twelve under the Large Families Scheme. Indranee Rajah explained that the scheme primarily targets financial support for children zero to six years old, providing $1,000 annually for each third and subsequent child in that age range. Beyond age six, families have access to various financial aids, including comprehensive subsidies and Education Account top-ups. The government will monitor the scheme and consider future adjustments.

Xie Yao Quan asked about the government's response to a study indicating that Singapore is the most expensive city in Asia for locals and expatriates and how it plans to help citizens cope with rising living costs. Gan Kim Yong clarified that Singapore ranked fourth for expatriates and 28th for residents in the study, with core inflation moderating to 0.3% year-on-year in August 2025. The government has implemented various measures to help households, including $800 in CDC vouchers and increased U-Save rebates for eligible HDB households. Additional long-term support has been offered in areas such as housing, healthcare, education, and employability to ensure assistance throughout all stages of life. The government will continue to monitor living costs and provide necessary support.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked about the oversight ensuring that commercial rents from landlords like JTC and HDB remain affordable for SMEs and support tenant-mix diversity. Gan Kim Yong responded that JTC and HDB have frameworks to offer competitive rents, with industrial rents for JTC at about 10% below market rates and 90% of HDB tenants experiencing no rent increases in the last five years. Both agencies provide staggered rent adjustments for renewing tenants and support startups with rental discounts. The government supports SMEs through various measures, including financial schemes for business development and productivity improvement.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat raised multiple questions regarding the Ministry of National Development's monitoring of commercial vacancy durations and landlord practices. Chee Hong Tat indicated that the inquiries have already been addressed in a previous Parliamentary response related to the reasons behind vacant commercial units and the implications of high rents. Questions included the impact on rental affordability, the feasibility of a commercial vacancy tax, and potential public disclosure of median rents and vacancy rates by building.

He Ting Ru asked about the criteria for "heartland merchants" eligible to accept CDC vouchers, the number of applications received for 2024-2025, and how many of those were accepted. Edwin Tong Chun Fai explained that the CDC Vouchers Scheme aims to assist households with living costs and support hawkers and heartland merchants. He noted the effort to onboard hawkers and merchants in HDB heartlands, emphasizing case-by-case onboarding for small businesses when few heartland merchants are available. Over 23,000 hawkers and heartland merchants have been onboarded to the scheme since October 2021, with ongoing efforts to engage and include more eligible merchants.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik raised concerns about the new licensing regime for lift and escalator certification firms starting in 2027, specifically regarding cost increases from submissions, certifications, and inspections, and support for Town Councils. Chee Hong Tat explained that the new regime aims to enhance lift safety by ensuring only licensed firms handle certifications, which will maintain competitive costs. The Government will continue providing funding to Town Councils for estate maintenance, urging them to budget for potential cost increases carefully.

Dr. Choo Pei Ling asked for details on public funding for healthcare research over the past five years, specifically regarding funding amounts for chronic diseases and tracking across other health areas. Ong Ye Kung responded that $2.4 billion has been committed to healthcare research during this period. Approximately 50% of this funding focuses on cancer and chronic diseases, with the remainder supporting areas like research talent development and artificial intelligence in healthcare.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik questioned the Ministry of Health about the assessment of financial resilience among home hospice service providers and plans for future cost increases. Ong Ye Kung stated that the Ministry supports palliative care and regularly reviews operating costs to adjust funding rates, with increases already implemented this year. The Ministry also focuses on training palliative care workers, adopting technology for efficiency, and improving discharge protocols for patients. Home hospice care capacity has risen from 2,400 to 3,000 in two years, with a target of 3,600 by the end of the year, and overall government funding for the sector is expected to continue increasing.

Valerie Lee requested data on primary school bus fares over the past five years, measures to make fares more affordable, and any future plans to further reduce costs. Desmond Lee explained that school bus fares are set through competitive bidding, with a noted average fare increase for 2025. Low-income families receive a subsidy that was increased to 65% in January 2023, with additional support available from schools. The government helps keep operating costs low for bus operators through various measures, including exemptions and rebates, and will monitor the fare situation for potential further support.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong raised concerns about the impact of cost increases on airlines operating at Changi Airport following Jetstar Asia's closure. Jeffrey Siow stated that the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) monitors Changi Airport's competitiveness, including aeronautical charges regulated by the airport operator, Changi Airport Group (CAG). He mentioned that airlines globally face cost challenges but noted continued growth in the number of airlines at Changi, including low-cost carriers. CAAS and CAG will provide targeted rebates and incentives to support airlines and encourage their growth at Changi Airport.

Saktiandi Supaat questioned the Minister for Education about how the Ministry ensures training initiatives like SkillsFuture align with emerging skill needs in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Desmond Lee highlighted the importance of training for sectors adopting Industry 4.0 technologies, citing the establishment of the Advanced Manufacturing Training Academy (AMTA) to address skills needs in manufacturing. IHLs are refreshing their training programmes in collaboration with industry feedback, offering a range of credentials and short upskilling courses related to Industry 4.0. SkillsFuture Queen Bee companies like Siemens are mentoring local firms in technology adoption and skills development, benefiting around 330 companies. Companies are encouraged to collaborate with educational institutions to align training with industry demands.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Prime Minister about the key performance indicators for fund managers under the Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP), including returns performance, third-party capital involvement, and evaluation timelines. Gan Kim Yong explained that the EQDP aims to enhance the local fund management ecosystem and stimulate interest in Singapore's public equities, focusing on small and mid-cap stocks. Fund managers will be assessed over at least three years on their ability to attract additional capital, deliver investment returns, and contribute to the equity market ecosystem in Singapore. The Monetary Authority of Singapore is on track to announce the second batch of asset managers by the end of the year.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked if the Government plans to impose limits on credit facilities and cap fees and interest rates for platform workers under financing programs. Edwin Tong Chun Fai explained that platform operators can lend to workers as exempt moneylenders, provided the loans are beneficial and have safeguards in place. GFin Services, a subsidiary of Grab, is the only current lender under this exemption, subject to restrictions stricter than licensed moneylenders, including limits on fees and loan amounts. GFin must also implement additional safeguards like a credit scoring system and support initiatives for workers struggling with repayments.