Barbados is operating in one of the most uncertain global environments in modern history, and Government’s spending plans are designed to protect the country from rising global costs, wars, climate shocks and economic instability, says Government Senator Lisa Cummins.
Speaking during debate on the Appropriation Bill, 2026 in the Senate yesterday, Cummins said the Estimates of Expenditure reflected a Government responding to global crises while continuing to invest heavily in health care, education, infrastructure and social services.
She told the Upper Chamber that Barbados, as a small open economy, was heavily affected by global developments, including war, rising oil prices, supply chain disruptions and inflation, all of which had influenced Government’s spending priorities.
“We are operating in a world that is very different from what it was even a few years ago, and Government’s expenditure has had to respond to global crises, COVID, climate challenges and the cost of living pressures facing Barbadians,” she said.
The Leader of Public Business in the Senate, Cummins explained that Government’s financial planning was part of a long-term strategy, with expenditure and financing spread across multiple years to achieve national development objectives.
She said the Appropriation Bill, 2026 represented a continuation of Government’s long-term development programme and policy framework, rather than a singleyear spending plan.
Steadily increased funding
Turning to the health sector, Cummins said Government had steadily increased funding for health services over the last several years, with the allocation now standing at about $485.7 million.
She outlined several major projects, including expansion of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, refurbishment and rebuilding of polyclinics, opening of the new Geriatric Hospital, investment in diagnostic equipment and implementation of a national health information system.
Cummins said Government was focusing not only on infrastructure but on transforming the entire health system.
“What we are working towards is health system transformation, not just spending on buildings and equipment, but transforming how the entire system works from the community level to the hospital level.”
She also pointed to international financing arrangements and partnerships with development institutions that would allow Barbados to invest more in health care and development while managing debt responsibly.
Cummins said Government was also implementing measures to address the cost of living, noting that Barbados was a pricetaking economy heavily affected by global energy and shipping costs.
“We cannot control global prices, but we have been putting measures in place to cushion Barbadians from those external pressures,” she said.
Cummins added that despite global uncertainty, Government remained committed to fiscal discipline while continuing to invest in national development and social protection.
She said the Appropriation Bill, 2026 reflected Government’s commitment to economic growth, health care, education transformation, social services and national resilience.
(CLM)
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