THE job-saving measures spelt out in the Budget will draw the most attention today as the debate on the Statement begins in Parliament.
Around 50 MPs are expected to speak during the debate, with most taking their cue from the Statement delivered just over a week ago.
On Jan 22, Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam had unveiled a Budget that was dominated by moves designed to save jobs by helping companies cut costs.
Mr Inderjit Singh (Ang Mo Kio GRC), chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Finance and Trade and Industry, will likely kick off the debate.
He told The Straits Times he will focus on jobs and call for even more to be done to cut costs. 'Generally, I will come up with some suggestions of things we can do in the shorter term.'
These will include steps to enhance the lending scheme under the Special Risk-sharing Initiative to help firms get access to financing, and to make sure property tax rebates are channelled to tenants. He will also speak about the unprecedented move to dip into the reserves, but only when the Committee of Supply session begins.
The first two days of the Parliamentary sitting will focus on the Budget Statement. On Thursday, Parliament evolves into what is called a Committee of Supply to scrutinise each ministry's budget and policies. The debate is scheduled to end on Feb 13.
To get to speak on a ministry's plans, an MP tables a token cut to the Ministry's budget, which he withdraws after the minister responds to his queries. The number of cuts filed - which gives an indication of how intense the debate will be - will be made known by Wednesday.
Other MPs said they would also be raising points related to the job measures. Ms Denise Phua (Jalan Besar GRC) will be asking for some ways to measure the effectiveness of the schemes unveiled. While pointing out that general feedback has been positive, she said she wanted to 'sharpen some of the bluntness' of the Budget.
'How do we ensure that effects of the various initiatives cascade down to the workers? There needs to be some assessment down the line. How do we ensure the Jobs Credit scheme will save jobs?'
Madam Ho Geok Choo (West Coast GRC) said she would raise points on how the Government could introduce schemes that impact workers more directly: for example, a temporary subsidy to help those who have lost their jobs but are saddled with medical bills.
- The Straits Times
No comments:
Post a Comment