Arthur criticises Bajan budget

The Barbados Opposition Leader, Owen Arthur, has given a scathing assessment of the government's tough tax-raising budget.



The Barbados government yesterday announced tax increases taxes in a bid to raise more than US$100 million.



The opposition leader has described the new revenue and spending guide as a karaoke budget saying Finance Minister Chris Sinckler was singing the lyrics of the International Monetary Fund.



Arthur, who as Prime Minister presided over the Barbados economy during the boom years, also says the increase in the Value Added Tax is a recipe for social and economic chaos.



Meanwhile, business leaders have generally given the budget qualified backing, saying decisive action was needed to restore health to the nation's worsening finances.