With his presentation of the government’s proposed $383.1 billion national budget, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh yesterday announced several measures aimed at bringing relief to the many households and businesses that have been experienced financial distress over the past year and beyond.
Singh told the National Assembly that a cash grant of $15,000 per child would be given to the parents of children in the nursery, primary, and secondary levels in the public school system, while there will also be an increase in old age pension from $20,500 to $25,000 with effect January 1, 2021, and an increase in the Public Assistance payment from $9,000 to $12,000.
He also said households are to receive a 5% reduction in water tariffs and a restoration of the Value Added Tax (VAT) zero-rate on basic food items and household necessities.