Singapore’s economy has closed the past fiscal year on a strong note, but many households are still navigating cost pressures, job uncertainty and a rapidly shifting global environment. As Budget 2026 is unveiled later today — the first of the new political term — expectations are high. Will the focus be on extending cost-of-living support, strengthening job security in an AI-driven economy, or rebuilding fiscal buffers for future shocks?

Dr. Reuben Ng, Behavioural and Data Scientist at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS, joins the Breakfast Show to unpack the public mood heading into this Budget, the trade-offs policymakers face, and the key signals Singaporeans should be listening for when the speech is delivered.