# NDR 2026 highlights: More childcare leave, BTO income ceiling raised as PM Wong unveils major family support measures

- **Source:** Channel NewsAsia
- **Published:** 2026-08-23T09:29:00.000Z
- **Author:** Not listed by source
- **Original:** https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/national-day-rally-2026-live-updates-6330631
- **Topics:** HDB & Public Housing

## Featured rationale

The measures broaden public-housing eligibility and prioritise growing families, potentially increasing BTO applications while enabling more households to secure subsidised homes earlier.

## AI summary

Singapore will raise the BTO income ceiling from S$14,000 to S$16,000 for the first time in seven years and grant first-timer families an extra ballot chance per child.

## Original article

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lawrence Wong unveiled a major expansion of support for families at his National Day Rally on Sunday (Aug 23), including more childcare leave and plans to significantly lower preschool fees. Housing support will also be expanded. The income ceiling for Build-to-Order (BTO) flats will rise for the first time in seven years - from S$14,000 to S$16,000 . First-timer families will get an additional ballot chance for every child they have or are expecting. The measures form part of a broader shift towards supporting families throughout the journey of raising their children, rather than concentrating help around childbirth. Beyond families, Mr Wong laid out how Singapore intends to navigate a world that he described as more contested, unstable and dangerous. He said the country would embrace technologies such as artificial intelligence while managing their risks and supporting affected workers. Stronger protections for young social media users are on the horizon, including more robust age checks and safeguards for teenagers. Drawing his speech to a close with the stories of three Singaporeans who persevered through setbacks, Mr Wong called on Singaporeans to stay united and “go forward together” to build a stronger Singapore. “If we stay united, keep faith with one another, and hold fast to the values that have brought us this far, I am confident we will rise to every challenge – and we will prevail,” he said. Catch up on the key announcements.

## Chinese translation

> Translation model: openai_codex_cli

### 2026年国庆群众大会重点：育儿假增加，BTO收入顶限上调，黄循财总理公布重大育儿家庭支持措施

在国庆群众大会上宣布的措施，是更广泛转向在家庭养育子女的整个过程中提供支持的一部分。

新加坡：总理黄循财在星期日（8月23日）的国庆群众大会上公布大幅扩大对家庭的支持，包括增加育儿假，并计划显著降低学前教育费用。住房支持也将扩大。预购组屋（BTO）的收入顶限将七年来首次上调，从14,000新元提高到16,000新元。首次购屋家庭每有一个孩子或正在期待一个孩子，将获得一次额外抽签机会。这些措施是更广泛转向在家庭养育子女的整个过程中提供支持的一部分，而不是把援助集中在分娩前后。除了家庭，黄循财也阐述了新加坡打算如何应对一个他形容为竞争更激烈、更不稳定、更危险的世界。他说，国家将拥抱人工智能等技术，同时管理其风险，并支持受影响的员工。针对年轻社交媒体用户的更强保护即将推出，包括更严格的年龄核查和面向青少年的保障措施。在演讲接近尾声时，黄循财讲述了三名新加坡人在挫折中坚持不懈的故事，并呼吁新加坡人保持团结，“携手向前”，建设更强大的新加坡。“如果我们保持团结，彼此信任，并坚守让我们走到今天的价值观，我相信我们将迎接每一个挑战，并且我们将取得胜利，”他说。回顾主要宣布事项。