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

Feb 10, 2026

26:31

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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 this episode - which comes out a day ahead of Budget 2026 - ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong speaks to independent economist Song Seng Wun; and sociologist Clara Lee, research fellow at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy’s Institute of Policy Studies.

Apart from how the CDC voucher scheme has since become a staple of the government’s support package, they delve into different forms of welfare Singaporeans now receive, and the impact on small businesses should the scheme be withdrawn.

Highlights (click/tap above):

4:11 Impact on heartland merchants should CDC vouchers be withdrawn

9:42 Why are we using 'emergency' vouchers in a recovering economy?

15:49 Exiting from the policy of handing out CDC vouchers

20:43 Digital infrastructure to distribute CDC vouchers are now well-established: Clara

22:45 Redefining welfare state?

Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Host: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

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Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt