Finance Minister to Open Budget Debate Today

The 2024–25 Budget Debate will begin in the House of Representatives today.

Finance minister, Dr. Nigel Clarke, is expected to open his presentation sometime after 2 in the afternoon. He’s expected to outline how the government’s $1.3 trillion expenditure for the upcoming fiscal year will be funded.

It’s up almost 30 per cent compared to the budget tabled last year.

Opposition Spokesman on Finance, Julian Robinson, is expected to respond to Dr. Clarke’s presentation in his contribution to the debate on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader, Mark Golding, is slated to speak next Tuesday, March 19. Prime Minister Andrew Holness will make his contribution on Thursday, March 21.

The finance minister will return to conclude the Budget Debate the following Tuesday, March 26.

It would fall to the finance minister to make any announcement of an increase in the country’s income tax threshold. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has dubbed the potential increase 1.5 (2.0).

Prime Minister Andrew Holness. He was addressing party supporters during a spot meeting in February.