Thorne: Govt ignoring ‘murderously high’ cost of living

Leader of the Opposition Ralph Thorne has accused the government of turning a blind eye to what he called “murderously high” prices and unchecked price gouging, warning that spiralling living costs are pushing Barbadians into deeper financial distress.

“Government must come to understand that it has a very serious responsibility to control the cost of living in this country,” Thorne told the House of Assembly.

“It is too high, it is murderously high.”

He said many households had reached the point where “a visit to the supermarket is a nervous exercise”, arguing that the administration had failed.

As the House debated the Economic Diversification and Growth Fund Bill, Thorne said Barbadians were not experiencing the growth that the administration repeatedly claims. Inflation and escalating retail prices continued to outstrip the earnings of ordinary workers, he said. “A lot of lives in Barbados are being ruined by a very high cost of living.”

Consumers were facing continuous price increases “with almost every visit to the supermarket”, said Thorne, insisting the administration must take responsibility for the widespread anxiety in households.

He further warned that many Barbadians believed they were facing unjustified mark-ups in the retail trade. “One lives an experience in which there is price gouging,” he said. “And if this government isn’t aware that there’s price gouging, this government had better educate itself as to the experience of people in this country.” (SZB)