Offers of 2026-27 civil service pay adjustment
The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) made pay offers to the staff side of the four civil service central consultative councils today (June 9), under which the pay for civil servants in the upper, middle and lower salary bands and the directorate will be increased at the same rate of 2 per cent for 2026-27, effective retrospectively from April 1, 2026.
"The Hong Kong economy has recorded substantial growth over the past year alongside a mild rise in living expenses and an overall upward pay trend in the market. The fiscal position of the Government has improved in 2025-26. That said, the Government needs to be prudent in managing public finances to cater for future developments as well as unexpected needs arising from changes in the geopolitical situation. After holistically considering and balancing all relevant factors, including the economic outlook, the increase in the cost of living in the past year, the Government's overall fiscal position and the principle of prudent financial management, the positive net pay trend indicators in every salary band, the claims from the staff side and civil service morale, the Chief Executive in Council (CE in Council) made the offers to increase the pay at the same rate of 2 per cent across the board,"a CSB spokesman said.
"After the CE in Council considers the response from the staff side on the pay offers and makes a decision on the 2026-27 civil service pay adjustment, the Government will submit the pay adjustment proposal to the Legislative Council Finance Committee for consideration as soon as possible,"the spokesman added.
Photo source: reference image
Free use of leisure and cultural facilities on July 1 in celebration of 29th anniversary of establishment of HKSAR
To celebrate the 29th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will open a number of fee-charging facilities for free use by members of the public on July 1 (Wednesday), including:
- Indoor leisure facilities: badminton courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, netball courts, volleyball courts, squash courts, table tennis tables, American pool tables, billiard tables, sport climbing walls*, bowling greens, golf facilities, fitness rooms*, activity rooms, a cycling track* and dance rooms;
- Outdoor leisure facilities: tennis courts, tennis practice courts, bowling greens, batting cages, archery ranges* and golf facilities (excluding camp facilities, sports grounds as well as artificial and natural turf pitches);
- Public swimming pools (excluding Wan Chai Swimming Pool); and
- Crafts at water sports centres* (recreational kayaks, pedal-driven boats, sampans and colour boats at Chong Hing Water Sports Centre are available for free use by campers only).
(* Users are required to possess the relevant qualification certificates.)
From June 14 to 20, members of the public can make ballot applications on SmartPLAY as individual users. Each application can include up to three choices of sessions. Any applicant wishing to change the choices in his/her application made can do so on SmartPLAY before the closing time at 11.59pm on June 20. The computer balloting results will be announced on June 23. Successful applicants will be notified by the SmartPLAY system. Any remaining sessions will be open for application on SmartPLAY on a first-come, first-served basis from June 25 to members of the public not having been allocated any free session by ballot or not having made any application. Each successful applicant will only be allocated one free session, whether through balloting or first-come, first-served booking.
Photo source: lcsd.gov.hk
The LCSD appeals to successful applicants to arrive on time to make the best use of the booked facilities. All users should observe the Conditions of Use of LCSD Recreation and Sports Facilities as set out on the LCSD website www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/condition/index.html (including the "no-show/not present during the use of the booked sessions" penalty). If a successful applicant fails to take up a booked session on time, the arrangements stipulated in the Conditions will apply. For enquiry, please call 2414 5555 or visit the dedicated website www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/freeuseday/index.html.
No prior application will be required for using public swimming pool facilities. Members of the public may line up at the entrances of swimming pools before the start of a session. Free admission is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
On July 1, admission to all museums and art spaces of the LCSD will be free. The Space Theatre of the Hong Kong Space Museum will also screen the Sky Show "Shenzhou 13 - Space Travel" for eight free sessions. The screening times are 11am, 12.15pm, 1.30pm, 2.45pm, 4pm, 5.15pm, 6.30pm and 7.45pm. From 10am on June 16 to 8pm on June 17, members of the public can make ballot applications on URBTIX. Each application covers one session with two tickets. Repeated applicants will have their ballot eligibility invalidated. Successful applicants from computer balloting will receive the e-tickets via email on June 25. For details, please visit the website of the Hong Kong Space Museum at hk.space.museum.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), Photo by Bastille Post
