Singapore Prime Minister Wong outlines plans to curb living costs and expand job support

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong told about 3,000 party activists at a biennial conference on Oct. 25 that the government will continue tackling cost-of-living pressures, help Singapore secure better jobs and strengthen support from education to retirement. He said the agenda for the remainder of the term includes assistance for people who face setbacks in life, noting recent questions about support for singles and seniors.

"People asked: what about those without children? What about singles? What about seniors?" Wong said, adding that the government has not forgotten any group.

Wong highlighted the party’s electoral result in the 2025 General Election, where the People’s Action Party received 65.57% of the vote, and stressed that a mandate carries responsibility to deliver promised policies.

He referenced meetings with CEOs of major semiconductor firms and founders of technology start-ups, as well as the establishment of artificial-intelligence companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic in Singapore, noting that foreign investment supports economic growth and job creation.

While acknowledging that some sectors are thriving and others face pressure, Wong said the aim is to ensure that economic growth translates into better lives for all Singaporeans. Singapore’s economy grew 5.4% in the third quarter of 2026, exceeding forecasts, though retrenchments rose to 4,620 in the second quarter, the highest level since late 2020.

The prime minister said the government will work with the National Trades Union Congress to help workers adapt, citing the case of Fajar Shah Salim, a 45-year-old who received $2,800 through the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme after losing his restaurant manager job and later retrained as an IT operations specialist with ST Engineering.

"The Government stepped in with support when he needed it. But Fajar himself made the effort to retrain and switch to a new career," Wong said.

Wong emphasized that while the government will reduce the emphasis on examinations and broaden education pathways, families also need to allow children to develop at their own pace. He called for cooperation among government, businesses, unions, workers, families and the community to build a better Singapore together.