Taiwan's fight over handing out cash to the public is hardening, and Taipei residents look unlikely to get a top-up from the city.

• Premier Cho Jung-tai said raising the planned handout to NT$20,000 per person is off the table because it would eat into money for welfare payments.
• The government is sticking with the smaller NT$10,000 handout, calling it the limit of what the budget can take.
• Taipei mayor Chiang Wan-an repeated that his city cannot add its own cash, since Taipei's savings are smaller than its debts.
• Cho hinted some local governments could still afford to add money, pointing to record central funding for cities and counties next year.
• Chiang also brushed off friction with the Taiwan People's Party over campaign appearances, saying the goal is winning the most seats together.

Outlook: The smaller handout looks set to stand, with pressure shifting to wealthier local governments to top it up.