Singapore to unveil plans to help families juggle 'competing demands' at NDR: PM Wong in National Day Message
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong wants Singapore to be a place where everyone can pursue their aspirations with confidence, raise families with peace of mind, and look to the future with hope
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will share about plans to address concerns regarding the costs of raising children, access to affordable infant care and childcare, and other ways to lighten the load on families at the upcoming National Day Rally on Aug 23.
Singapore is taking a "fresh look" at issues relating to marriage and parenthood to help families lighten the load as family life comes under greater strain, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Saturday (Aug 8).
Ultimately, economic growth and technological progress must translate into better lives for all Singaporeans, he said in his National Day Message on the eve of the nation's 61st birthday.
This means that the country should be a place where every Singaporean can pursue their aspirations with confidence, raise their families with peace of mind, while being able to look to the future with hope, he added.
Family life across the world is coming under greater strain amid rising expectations, PM Wong noted.
He acknowledged the concerns of parents feeling pressured to give their children the best possible start in life, while caring for ageing parents and balancing the demands of their work exist here too.
"Many families are stretched as they juggle these competing demands," he said.
Speaking to the media at the workgroup's launch on April 29, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah said the group will examine issues including financial costs, work-life support, housing, healthcare, pre-school and education.
PM Wong said the group undertook a "major review" of how Singapore's policies can support families, beyond the marriage and parenthood stage, and into how support can be provided "throughout life's journey".
"We are taking a fresh look at issues like the costs of raising children, access to affordable infant care and childcare, and other ways to lighten the load on families," he added.
The prime minister also said that he will share more about these plans at the upcoming National Day Rally on Aug 23.
In his National Day Message, PM Wong also promised that Singapore will continue to shape its use of technology in ways that serve Singaporeans, while strengthening the society.
Illustrating this, he pointed out that while Singapore is making full use of artificial intelligence to raise productivity and create better jobs, it is also investing in skills and training.
This, he said, is to ensure that every worker can adapt, grow and thrive amid the rapid pace of innovation.
Turning to concerns about the effect of excessive social media use on children and young people, the prime minister said that the Government will put in place stronger safeguards to protect the young, and help them to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
In his National Day message, PM Wong also urged Singaporeans to keep faith with one another and stay true to the ideals of the national pledge — to build a better and stronger Singapore together.
