Ceremonial opening of Parliament and Budget tabling for April 14

Minister of Information, Senator Ruel Reid, says the government will next Tuesday table in Parliament an $83-billion carry-on Budget.

Senator Reid said this amount will allow the government to continue funding public expenditure until the new budget for the 2016-2017 financial year is tabled in April.

He was speaking with reporters at today’s first post-Cabinet press briefing of the new administration at Jamaica House.

The information minister said the ceremonial opening of Parliament will take place on April 14.

During the opening, the Governor General will deliver the Throne Speech which outlines the government’s plans and programmes for the parliamentary year.

After the opening, the Estimates of Expenditure, which sets out the government’s spending, will be tabled.

The information minister said Cabinet will go into retreat next week.

It is expected that during that time cabinet will fine tune plans for the budget debate.

Senator Reid indicated that the debate is scheduled to take place from May 9-19.