Firm Commitments

107. Under this social contract, the Government is firmly committed to providing a reliable safety net as a basic guarantee for our citizens. Through various services, the Government allows people of different circumstances to demonstrate their potential and to strive for a better future.

108. We are concerned about the hardships facing the population and have made firm commitments in all major social services areas. Spending on public housing, health care and social welfare will amount to $103.3 billion this financial year. Today, more than 3.3 million people, about half the population, live in public housing or subsidised home ownership flats. In the area of social welfare, there are 377 000 Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients and a further 529 000 recipients of Social Security Allowance benefits. Spending on public health services this financial year is expected to be $33.9 billion, allowing wide access to high-quality health care services. We also spend $2.6 billion annually on comprehensive support and rehabilitation services for people with disabilities. These services include basic life skills training, home care, day and residential services, and transportation services.