S1E65: Temporary or permanent relief? The future of CDC vouchers

The Straits Times Podcasts · Feb 10, 2026 · 26m

Government support measures such as CDC vouchers were meant to cushion soaring inflation. But are they fiscally sustainable?

Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.

Temporary government handouts like the CDC vouchers were meant to cushion the impact of Covid-19 and soaring inflation due to supply shocks that were caused by global events like the war in Ukraine.

But with inflation cooling to trend levels, can Singaporeans wean off the ‘free money’ reliance from CDC vouchers that were meant to be temporary?

In…