Wong orders family-support review in Singapore National Day message
What's next: He plans to detail measures on child costs, infant care and childcare at the Aug. 23 National Day Rally.
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong used his National Day message on Saturday to launch a major review of how the government supports families, saying help should extend beyond marriage and parenthood across “life’s journey.” Wong said officials are reexamining the cost of raising children, access to affordable infant care and childcare, and other ways to ease pressure on households. He said many families are stretched as parents juggle work, child-rearing and care for aging relatives. Wong also pointed to a volatile global backdrop, including conflict in the Middle East, rising trade barriers and higher energy and supply-chain costs, but said Singapore’s economy stayed resilient in the first half with a stable labor market. He said more details will come at the National Day Rally on Aug. 23.