DAB lawmaker Nixie Lam has welcomed a series of tax relief measures in the latest budget, saying they will directly support families and help ease their financial pressure.

In his budget speech on Wednesday, Financial Secretary Paul Chan announced an increase in the basic and single parent allowances from HK$132,000 to HK$145,000.

The allowance for married couples has also been raised, from HK$264,000 to HK$290,000.

In addition, the child allowance and additional child allowance will each rise by HK$10,000, bringing them to HK$140,000.

"Raising the basic and single parents and dependent parents allowances...puts money back where it counts so really easing the financial pressures," Lam said.

The finance chief also highlighted progress in childcare support, revealing that the number of service places at aided standalone childcare centres has surpassed 1,530 – an increase of around 12 percent over last year.

Lam described the measures as concrete steps, but acknowledged that demand for childcare remains high.

Looking ahead, she said she is keen to explore ways to expand public-private partnerships in the sector.

"We already see some employers' successful models from companies like HSBC, KMB and Airport Authority where on-site care is widely embraced by their employees," she said.

"Therefore, we should really examine the possibilities to introduce tax incentives to encourage more employers to participate in this type of childcare services."

Lam also called for a more unified approach to care across the community.

"For the community, we really need a unified network of care, whether it's public or employer-subsidised or community-led," she said.

"Only when every parent has access to affordable, reliable care can our workforce fully focus on driving our economy forward."


Edited by Aaron Tam