Hongkongers to get another HK$5,000 in vouchers
Financial Secretary Paul Chan on Wednesday announced that another round of spending vouchers will be handed out this year, with HK$5,000 on the way this time around. In 2021, Chan also gave adult residents of the city HK$5,000 in electronic vouchers to spend in local shops, restaurants or on public transport, doubling this to HK$10,000 in another round last year.  Some groups had urged the minister to dish out more vouchers to get the economy going again now the pandemic has eased – with the DAB among those in favour – but others had warned that the handouts are not great at spurring growth and that the government has to think about its dwindling coffers. In recent weeks, Chan said he was undecided on the matter, only revealing in his budget address in Legco on Wednesday morning that he agreed more vouchers will give Hong Kong’s economy a shot in the arm after four consecutive quarters of negative growth. "Having regard to the current economic situation, people's livelihood and the government's financial position, I will issue electronic consumption vouchers again this year with a total value of HK$5,000 to each eligible Hong Kong permanent resident and new arrival aged 18 or above in two instalments," he said. Chan added that residents, other than recent arrivals, will get an initial instalment of HK$3,000 in April, and the other HK$2,000 a few months' later, with officials using the registration data of last year's scheme to distribute the vouchers. New arrivals will receive the entire amount in the middle of the year. Eligible people who have moved to Hong Kong through various admission schemes or to study in the city will receive a total of HK$2,500. Executive Council convenor Regina Ip, who also chairs the New People's Party, said she backs the vouchers move, despite saying earlier that the previous round did little for the economy and there was no need for any more. "We are at the early stage of economic recovery, so issuing five thousand dollar e-vouchers will help. But I don't think it should become a recurrent measure," she said. The Society for Community Organisation, meanwhile, told RTHK that it was not impressed with the voucher plan.  "The underprivileged prefer cash delivery, rather than vouchers, because it's limited how they can use it," said the group's Sze Lai-shan, noting that the vouchers can't be used for things like paying rent. Sze also complained that the vouchers are not a targeted measure, questioning why wealthy residents will also be able to claim them.