$33 Billion Budget Hike Gets Parliament’s Approval

Both sides of the political divide in Parliament on Tuesday, October 12, gave approval for the total expenditure of the 2021/22 budget to be increased by $33 billion.

This as an aim to provide additional resources to the health sector, increased support for the most vulnerable, as well as funding for other critical areas due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

One measure is the national care food, package drive at a tune of one billion dollars under the Government’s CARE programme. Approximately 56 percent of the expenditure is geared towards meeting corresponding healthcare costs, as well as cushioning the economic impact of the pandemic.

The Government’s CARE programme will be expanded, with a further allocation of 5.3 billion dollars. Dr. Nigel Clarke says the programme will distribute between 200,000 and 250,000 care packages to vulnerable Jamaicans. As for the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH); 35,000 Jamaicans have yet to collect CARE grant.

This budget approval means; a range of other one-off grants was announced, including assisting National Insurance Scheme, (NIS) pensioners, employees on the PAYE system, as well as an allocation of $3 billion in grants and loans for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

More in this CVM Live story from Robian Williams: