Prioritising people’s needs and economic stability

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The National Budget Debate is a crucial time for Jamaica, and it’s important for everyone in the country to keep an eye on it. The ruling party is focusing on keeping the country’s economy stable over the next few years. They hope that this stability will eventually lead to more money in people’s pockets, although they haven’t given a clear date for when this might happen. They’re asking Jamaicans to keep facing tough times, knowing many struggle every day with basic expenses like food, transportation, and medical bills. So, the big question is, how much longer do we wait? And, is the idea that benefits will ‘trickle down’ to everyone actually going to work?

It seems like the ruling Jamaica Labour Party isn’t paying enough attention to the needs of vulnerable groups in our society. They’re not focusing enough on small farmers, public workers, and young people at risk, nor on creating programmes to help these groups. However, the Government is trying to give back in some ways, such as a one-time tax credit of $20,000, raising the tax-free income limit, and adding more funds to the PATH programme, especially after losing some support in the recent local government elections.

The Government believes that to improve the economy, we must be strict with our money to pay off national debt. This way, we’ll have more money for other important projects. One area they’re spending on is infrastructure, but some projects, like the Cornwall Regional Hospital, are costing much more than expected. The Government says it can cover these costs without new taxes by making special financial arrangements, but we need to know more about what we’re selling and to whom. This is especially important because of some trust issues with the Government.

Looking at what the People’s National Party (PNP) has to say, they believe that while it’s good to have a stable economy, the government shouldn’t ignore the people’s need for help. They pointed out that some of the government’s actions, like the supposed increase in PATH benefits, don’t really help people in a meaningful way. The PNP argues that more should be done to protect local farmers and support small businesses and innovation. This, they say, could lead to better jobs and help reduce crime by providing more opportunities.

The finance minister, Nigel Clarke, spent a lot of time talking about the Budget, but I feel that he missed out on explaining how it directly affects the lives of the Jamaican people. There’s a desire for more clarity and detail on how the Government’s plans will really make a difference in the everyday lives of Jamaicans.

MARIO BROWN

Montego Bay