总理表示能理解大家的心情和顾虑，但不调高消费税是不负责任的。人民怕钱不够用，政府担心没有足够资源照顾低收入家庭，以及老年人的医药保健需求。

总理总结时说，这两年多我们沉着应战，社会已更有凝聚力、更加坚强，给我们更大的勇气和信念面对未来各种危机。有了这种迎难而上、同甘共苦的精神，这个小红点就能继续发光发亮，我们的子子孙孙也能拥有灿烂的未来。

PM Lee Hsien Loong is now delivering his English speech at the National Day Rally 2022. You can watch the speech live on the PMO YouTube channel here: youtu.be/ObScGfQuR3U

PM Lee: We have come a long way in our fight against COVID-19 and are now learning to live with the virus. Key to our success has been the high level of trust in our society. Trust amongst Singaporeans to do the right thing and to have each other’s back.

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PM Lee: In our national response against COVID-19, many went above and beyond. They include healthcare workers, public officers, private companies, NGOs, community groups, and countless individuals from all walks of life. The nation is grateful to all of you.

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PM Lee: Top of everyone’s minds is the cost of living. Even before the war in Ukraine, inflation was already becoming a problem, but the war has made things worse. The Govt is doing everything necessary to support SGporeans, especially middle & lower-income families.

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PM Lee: This financial year alone, a middle-income family with two young children, staying in a 4-room HDB flat, can expect an additional $2,200 in support from cash payouts, U-Save and S&CC rebates, CDC vouchers, and MediSave top-ups.

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PM Lee: A lower-income family staying in a 3-room HDB flat can expect about $3,700 in support. We will not be able to cover fully every cost increase, but we will help lighten some of the burden on Singaporean households.

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When fully completed in around 20 years, Tuas Port will handle 65 million TEUs annually, almost double today’s volumes. We will have the world’s largest fully automated port, and that should make us a leading global player in the maritime space.

#NDR2022