'Do more to encourage middle-class to have babies' - RTHK
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'Do more to encourage middle-class to have babies'

2023-08-21 HKT 18:04
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  • The Liberal Party says authorities should offer higher tax rebates for families with more children. Photo courtesy: Liberal Party
    The Liberal Party says authorities should offer higher tax rebates for families with more children. Photo courtesy: Liberal Party
The Liberal Party on Monday called for more incentives to encourage middle-class families to have babies.

This came as the party met Chief Executive John Lee at the government headquarters to offer their suggestions ahead of his second Policy Address in October.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the party’s leader, Tommy Cheung, said the CE should consider handing out education vouchers to those who wish to enrol their children in international schools.

Cheung added that authorities should also offer higher tax rebates for families with more children.

“We want it [child allowance rate] in multiples. If you have one child, you have HK$150,000, two children - HK$300,000, the third one - HK$600,000,” Cheung said.

“And also we talked about coupons for parents who want to put their children in international schools.”

Meanwhile, the party’s chairman, Peter Shiu, urged officials to do more to promote nightlife in the city, saying events like music performances and magic shows will draw large crowds.

Separately, Third Side lawmaker Tik Chi-yuen called on the Chief Executive to design a roadmap that leads to universal suffrage in his upcoming policy blueprint.

“Democracy movement is the request of the Hong Kong society. It’s also the promise of Beijing government. It’s also the responsibility of the SAR’s government to move forward,” he said.

“Maybe this is not [on John Lee’s] agenda but I think this is the agenda of the society.”

His party is expected to meet the CE on Wednesday.

'Do more to encourage middle-class to have babies'