The 2016 budget of the Government of Anguilla was passed in the House of Assembly without change despite a protest march on Thursday morning, December 10. It was one of the quickest passed budgets in recent years – not requiring the extra day of Friday, December 11, allotted for the debate.
The march, by members of the Concerned Citizens Group, made its way from the parking lot of the Ronald Webster Park to the steps of the Ministry of Finance. The protesters, carrying placards, demanded a reduction of the budget in order to reduce a series of tax measures mainly to help Government to resolve the banking sector crisis and to rebound the island’s economy. Their letter appears on page 7 of this edition of The Anguillian.
The protesters were met by Chief Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr. Victor Banks, who accepted a letter written by the Reverend Dr. H. Clifton Niles and read by Mrs. Merlin Duncan-Webster.
In addressing the protestors, Mr. Banks said:
“Thank you all very much for coming out this morning. Obviously you are concerned about what’s happening in your Country. There are times when people and leaders do not see eye to eye on issues, but the fact remains that we need to work things out together when those situations occur – and, as Government, we have a leadership role to play.
“We appreciate your fervour; we appreciate your passion; but we want to let you know that we are doing the best we can in the circumstances. We have some very difficult times and I have listened to the comments that you have made. I will take my time and go through the letter very carefully and I will give you an appropriate response when the time arises.”
The budget provides for Recurrent Expenditure (including principal repayments) of $225,335,227. Recurrent Expenditure without amortisation for the fiscal year 2016 is estimated at $202.3 million which is a 5.3 % increase over $192.1 million for the 2015 fiscal year. Recurrent Revenue is $219.87 million which represents a 12.67% increase over the 2015 estimate of $195.145 million. The Capital Budget for 2016 is $26,547,800.
