Prime Minister Mia Mottley has described the 2026 Budget as a “people’s budget”, saying it delivers on campaign promises while taking steps to protect Barbadians from mounting global pressures.
Speaking after the presentation made by Minister of Finance Ryan Straughn in Parliament on Monday, Mottley framed the proposals as a continuation of commitments made to the electorate less than five weeks ago.
“He has delivered for what really can be described as a people’s budget… putting more money in the pockets of people, as we promised also during the campaign,” she said.
She argued that the measures are intended not only to provide direct relief, but also to limit the impact of external shocks, particularly those linked to geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices.
“A people’s budget that allows us to start to take measures that will help shield and protect the Barbadian public from the impact… where the prices of oil are affecting us,” Mottley said.
Pointing to key cost drivers, she indicated that controlling energy and freight costs remains central to the Government’s approach.
“If we can help control… the price of gas and fuel at the pump, and… the price of freight, we can at least reduce the extent to which those increases can have an inflationary impact on costs for all of these households and all of these businesses.”
Mottley said the Budget also reflects continued efforts to diversify the economy while addressing pressing social concerns.
“At the same time, you saw that he spoke about the critical areas of diversifying our economy and our work towards that, as well as… critical social issues.”
She maintained that the proposals represent a government delivering on its mandate within a short timeframe following the general election.
“This really is a budget where this government has kept faith with the people,” she said.
“I don’t know that there’s been any other time where so many manifesto promises have been delivered in such a short period of time for the benefit of the people of this country.”
With the election held less than five weeks ago, Mottley said the administration had moved quickly to translate its platform into action, expressing satisfaction with the Minister of Finance’s presentation.
“So all in all, there’s a people’s budget, it is solid,” she said, adding that she looks forward to contributing to the debate in Parliament later this week.
Mottley indicated that members of Parliament will further expand on various aspects of the Budget during the debate.
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