Opposition promises growth-focused strategies

The parliamentary Opposition has dismissed the budget presentation by Finance and Public Service Minister Fayval Williams as more of the same old approach that has left Jamaica stuck in low growth and high hardship.

Opposition Spokesman on Finance, Julian Robinson, said he heard no serious, coordinated strategy to grow the economy and no aggressive push to improve productivity.

“Instead, it was more tinkering around the edges while Jamaicans continue to struggle,” Robinson said on Thursday during his contribution to the 2025–2026 Budget Debate in Parliament.

“The government is clearly out of ideas and out of time.”

Robinson outlined several growth-focused strategies that he said the People’s National Party (PNP) would implement if it forms the next government after the national elections, constitutionally due by September.

Among them is a “targeted programme” to tackle cost of living challenges in the short term, a “concrete plan” to reduce energy costs, “a decisive approach” to address high interest rates and a “comprehensive strategy” to empower and expand the micro small and medium enterprises industry.

- Livern Barrett

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