Minister wants a break for the elderly and vulnerable

As Prime Minister Mia Mottley prepares to make her Budget presentation on Monday, Minister of Elder Affairs and People Empowerment Kirk Humphrey says he is hoping it will provide some necessary ease for the elderly and most vulnerable as they continue to grapple with rising prices.

In fact, Humphrey told reporters on Friday that he was hoping that his ministry will be able to implement the range of social programmes lined up to assist the most vulnerable.

Noting that the estimates have already been submitted, Humphrey disclosed that he recently had a conversation with Mottley where he put forward some additional proposals.

“The Prime Minister and I had a conversation. I have put forward some additional proposals that I hope to have mentioned in the Budget,” said Humphrey.

“We are looking at being able to allow persons to age actively. We are looking to build programmes that allow intergenerational exchange so that the older people will have the opportunity to relate with younger people while at the same time be able to beautify their housing and hopefully you will hear about that very soon…having younger people go for their medication, both for the persons with disabilities and older persons.

“There are a number of programmes that we have put forward and I am hopeful that even as these gaps emerge, and I see more, that I have the kind of conversation with the Ministry of Finance that will allow us to be able to bring [a] supplementary to do the work that we must be able to do,” he said.

“But I am satisfied that the current estimates that we provided would allow us to do some of that work,” said Humphrey, who expressed gratitude for recent European Union (EU) donation of €3.65 million (BDS$8.3 million) as budgetary support towards the Government’s planned Social Protection Policy and Strategy programme.

“Some of those funds allow us to go directly to social protection . . . So we do have access to resources, it is now understanding properly what the issues are and to be able to address them,” he said.

After two years without a Budget, Mottley is expected to outline how her administration intends to put the country on a growth path while addressing pressing social issues for the financial year.

She will deliver an action plan to create jobs and rejuvenate critical traditional sectors while incentivising emerging industries.

It comes against the backdrop of increasing gas and commodity prices as a result of the Russia invasion of Ukraine, which pundits say could result in devastating long-term effects. (MM)