HGP Nightly News – As parliamentary debate on the historic $1.558 trillion 2026 National Budget begins, a senior government official has issued a caution to the public regarding the nature of the forthcoming discourse.
Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, urged citizens to critically evaluate the information presented during the opposition’s scrutiny of the fiscal plan. He warned against what he termed “rapid disinformation and misinformation,” advising the public to actively decipher factual content from political rhetoric.
“The motives behind certain presentations must be considered,” Minister McCoy stated, alluding to anticipated criticism of the budget from opposition benches. He emphasized that the government’s proposals are designed with tangible benefits for citizens in mind.
The budget, presented under the theme “Putting Peoples First,” incorporates several key manifesto commitments of the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). A significant portion of the allocation is dedicated to direct cash transfers and social support programmes.
Major social initiatives outlined include an increase in the “Because We Care” cash grant to $60,000 per child, which, alongside the $100,000 one-off cash grant for adults, represents a combined direct transfer of approximately $72.4 billion to households.
Additional provisions include a new $20,000 annual transportation grant for students, an increase in old age pensions to $46,000 monthly plus a transportation grant, and enhanced public assistance.
On the fiscal policy front, Budget 2026 proposes several tax removals aimed at reducing costs. These include the elimination of Value Added Tax (VAT) on new and nearly new vehicles with engines below 1500cc and on hybrid vehicles below 2000cc.
The government will also introduce a flat tax structure for double-cab pickup imports and remove all duties and taxes on All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and outboard engines up to 150 horsepower, a measure targeted at aiding transportation in hinterland and riverain communities.
A further $7.5 billion has been allocated for continued direct assistance to homeowners for housing upgrades.
The government’s presentation frames these measures as central to its pro-people agenda, setting the stage for a detailed parliamentary examination of the allocations and their projected impact on the nation’s economic and social trajectory.
