Tough pandemic times have highlighted the need for the government to do its part to cut the cost of living and call in some efficiency experts to study and implement a workable plan to help the economy over the long term.
Fees for government services are simply too inflated and contribute to an already high risk of cash poverty for the average person. Vehicle road tax, electricity prices, rubbish collection and innumerable other fees, licenses, fines and charges all add up to a high cost of living at a time when incomes are lower and uncertainty is rampant.
When challenged about high fees for various government services, the average bureaucrat will point to the law, but in these times, it is less about the letter of the law and more about the spirit of the law and the understanding of the authorities towards a stressed and exhausted population.
Fiscal policy should always aim towards a more affordable standard of living in order for people to have disposable income for further investments, either in new homes, education or other building blocks of an economy.
Prioritising contributions towards social insurance pensions, public transportation, education and the public health system is reasonable and makes good sense. But after that, any government with the public interest and economic health in mind should see about tax incentives and trimming fees for public services.
At this point, it is difficult for people to keep up with their obligations, so the Cabinet of Ministers should take a practical look at how to help. Some ideas:
- Discount road tax fees until the pandemic is over, or provide easy-to-pay installments.
- Remove the annual company levy.
- Lower electricity charges until the pandemic is over.
- Cut rubbish collection fees until the pandemic subsides.
- Cut water charges until the economy is in a better place.
- Offer discounts on income tax payments made within a certain time period.
It’s also important to provide effective and interactive online systems for government services to avoid endless queuing, which wastes everyone’s time.
During the pandemic, it has been impressive how people pulled together to support each other and protect each other’s health. The government has also done what it could to stop the spread of the COVID virus, but attention is needed to help the average person afford basic services, after all, financial health is also important.
It’s a worthwhile investment and will help the economy to bounce back quickly when the time comes.
