Government

Key Financial Insights from the Statement of Financial & Budgetary Proposals

By Deanzer Roberts

Strengthening the Social Safety Net: Increased Welfare Benefits

In response to rising living costs, the government has announced an increase in financial assistance for vulnerable groups, including pensioners, unemployed individuals, and single-parent households. This expansion of social programs aims to ensure that no Barbadian is left behind in the country’s economic recovery. Enhanced benefits for the Welfare Department, as well as additional funding for community support initiatives, underscore the government’s commitment to social equity.

Tackling Inflation: New Policies to Stabilize Food Prices

With inflation continuing to impact the cost of essential goods, the budget introduces measures designed to stabilize food prices. These include tax reductions on imported staple foods, subsidies for local farmers, and new regulations to prevent price gouging. By strengthening domestic agricultural production and supporting food security, the government hopes to mitigate the effects of global economic volatility on Barbadian households.

Upgraded Hospitals and Clinics

A major boost in healthcare spending has been outlined in the budget, with millions allocated for upgrading hospitals, polyclinics, and emergency response services. Plans include new state-of-the-art medical equipment, expanded telemedicine services, and improved access to specialist care. This investment reflects the government’s long-term strategy to enhance public health infrastructure and ensure quality healthcare for all citizens.

Charting a Path to Fiscal Sustainability

Barbados is on track to reduce its national debt significantly, with new fiscal measures designed to improve the country’s credit rating and attract foreign investment. By restructuring existing debt agreements and implementing stricter financial management protocols, the government aims to lower debt servicing costs while maintaining essential public services. This approach is expected to reinforce investor confidence and strengthen economic resilience.

Education Gets a Major Boost: Free Digital Learning Resources for Students

In a bid to modernize the education system, the government has unveiled a comprehensive digital learning initiative that will provide free laptops and internet access to students across the country. This investment in digital infrastructure seeks to bridge the education gap, ensuring that all students, regardless of socioeconomic status, have equal access to quality learning resources.

New Housing Initiatives to Expand Affordable Home Ownership

The budget outlines a series of new housing projects aimed at making homeownership more attainable for Barbadians. These include low-interest mortgage options, government-subsidized housing developments, and incentives for first-time home buyers. This initiative aligns with the government’s broader goal of improving living conditions and reducing the housing deficit.

Major Roadworks and Public Transport Upgrades

A multi-million-dollar investment has been announced for infrastructure projects, including road repairs, bridge construction, and an overhaul of the public transportation system. The budget allocates significant resources for reducing traffic congestion, enhancing road safety, and introducing eco-friendly buses to improve the efficiency and sustainability of public transport services.

Unlocking Maritime Opportunities

The government is set to capitalize on the country’s marine resources by investing in the development of the blue economy. This budget introduces incentives for sustainable fishing, ocean-based tourism, and marine conservation projects. By harnessing the potential of Barbados’ coastal and marine assets, the administration hopes to create jobs and drive new revenue streams for the economy.

Strengthening Barbados’ Position as a Global Destination

With tourism being a cornerstone of the economy, the budget lays out a strategic recovery plan that includes targeted marketing campaigns, improved airport facilities, and incentives for hotel development. The plan also focuses on diversifying the tourism product, promoting heritage tourism, and increasing linkages with local businesses to ensure the industry’s continued growth and resilience.

Government

Mental Health Workers: Champions Of Change Across Communities

Employees of the Psychiatric Hospital have been urged to see themselves as champions of change across Barbados, to lessen the stigma of mental illness.

This message was conveyed by Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Davidson Ishmael, at the 2025 Employee Rewards and Recognition Ceremony of the Psychiatric Hospital, last Saturday, at Mahogany Ridge, Plum Tree Road, St. James.

Held under the theme Excellence in Healthcare Delivery, the event saw the Minister lauding staff, for “a tremendous job” and encouraging them to continue working to uplift their brothers and sisters, as they daily handle acute cases of mental health.

Mr. Ishmael, who stressed that many people needed an uplifting hand, given the several mental health challenges faced by society, suggested a comforting word or hug, could help bring such persons back from the precipice.

He praised the hospital’s anti-stigma campaign and emphasised it needed to be embraced to break down the mental blockades which lend to persons taking a stand-off approach to mental illness.

The Minister stated: “I want us, as champions of mental health in our country, to see ourselves as bigger than the Psychiatric Hospital and see yourselves as part of the messengers that have to go out there on a daily basis, within your various conversations, …wherever people are….

“Take a moment to encourage those who are around you to take better care of their mental health, so we can avoid, and we can pull back some of this discrimination, some of these unfortunate incidents that we are seeing in our country because we really have to do better in this country, and it begins with all of us.”

He also reminded staff that excellence in mental health required not only clinical knowledge and technical skill, but profound empathy, patience, resilience, and an unwavering belief in human dignity. And Mr. Ishmael stressed it was for this reason several of them were being honoured for consistently demonstrating this belief, not only through words but through action.

“You remind us that compassion is not just a value. It is practice. You are the reason that hope reaches the hopeless, and healing touches the broken,” he stated.

Several staffers received long service awards for having spent 10 to 40 years at the Black Rock, St. Michael institution. Social worker, Cecilia Ramsay received the 40-year award while Senior Nursing Officer, Alfred Alleyne was bestowed the 35-year award. Both were presented by Minister Ishmael.

Three people received the Hospital Director’s Award – Infection Control Officer, Selvin Greenidge; Deputy Principal Nursing Officer, Michelle Moore; and Department Aide, Rodney Stuart. The hospital also recognised its retirees and presented the “Friends of Psychiatric Hospital Award” to four persons – Peter ‘Peter Ram” Wiggins, Geoffrey “Biggie Irie” Cordle, Nikita Herbert, and Faith Callender – for their voluntary service to the institution and championing mental health initiatives. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Senior Nursing Officer at the Psychiatric Hospital, Alfred Alleyne (right), is presented with the 35-year award by Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Davidson Ishmael at the hospital’s awards ceremony last Saturday.

Government

EDMUND HINKSON RESIGNS

Speaker of the House of Assembly The Hon Arthur Holder shortly after the sitting began today read a letter of resignation submitted by the Hon. Edmund Hinkson representative for St. James North.

The letter stated ‘In accordance with Section 45 (1) b of the Constitution of Barbados, I hereby give notice that I shall resign from the Parliament of Barbados a the Member for the Constituency of St. James North effective Friday April 25th, April, 2025 at 10am.

Government

Prime Minister Mottley Pays Tribute To Pope Francis

The world today feels like a lonely place with the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis. For me, Pope Francis was the beacon of global moral strategic leadership.

I confess that it was Pope Francis’ writings and teachings that guided and inspired me through the dark and desolate days of the COVID-19 pandemic, as I worked with others to lead Barbados through that period of grave uncertainty. He was, in every sense, my hero.

I was later humbled to have spent time with him late last year, where he reinforced in me the importance of always aligning our hearts, our heads, and our hands with our faith – to see, hear, and feel all people, so that we may help them, and to protect our planet.

His voice comforted and inspired many. His hands led him to places where others dared not go, and His heart knew no boundaries. His humour and his laughter were not only infectious but calming.

Let us, each and every day, see, hear, and feel people—to fight the globalisation of indifference. In so doing, we will walk the road he paved tirelessly to the very end of his life.

If we dare to live with heart, to serve with courage, humility, and to love without borders—then Pope Francis still walks among us.

May His soul forever rest in peace. (PR/GIS)