Sixth District Representative and Member of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, has argued that increasing wages alone will not sufficiently protect residents from the rising cost of living in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Youtube

Sixth District Representative and Member of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, said the central focus of policymakers should be increasing residents’ disposable income, rather than relying solely on salary increases. Photo: VINO/File

Hon Walwyn made the remarks during the continuation of the Fifth Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly on Thursday, August 13, 2026, as lawmakers debated amendments to the Statutory Rates, Fees and Charges Act, 2005. 

The amendments pave the way for a targeted adjustment to electricity rates for consumers using more than 1,500 kilowatt-hours per month. The measure is intended to improve the financial sustainability of the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC). The government has said that approximately 919 of BVIEC’s 17,680 customers would be affected, while about 95 per cent of customers would see no direct change to their electricity bills.

Hon Walwyn said the central focus of policymakers should be increasing residents’ disposable income, rather than relying solely on salary increases.

'Higher salaries don't shield residents from increases'

“Let our efforts not be, when it comes to dealing with people's livelihood, let the effort be to try to make people have more disposable income,” he said. “That is the key.”

He cautioned that higher salaries do not necessarily shield residents from increases in essential expenses, including rent, mortgages, insurance, food, electricity and fuel.

“Because if you might think that you're increasing the amount in terms of salary, which you should, you know. But you can't bank on that alone,” Hon Walwyn said. 

According to the Sixth District Representative, wage increases can also contribute to wider price increases, particularly when adjustments to the minimum wage affect other salary levels and business operating costs. 

“And if the minimum wage goes up, like it did, it affects every other level above, and that then also increases the cost of services to people,” he said.

'Higher electricity costs for businesses could be passed to customers' 

Hon Walwyn also expressed concern that higher electricity costs for large consumers could eventually be passed on to customers through increased prices for goods and services. Similar concerns were raised during the debate that businesses, including supermarkets, could transfer increased operating costs to consumers. 

“There’s a lot that people are dealing with right now,” Hon Walwyn said, pointing to the combined pressure of housing, insurance, food, electricity and other household expenses.

“It is hard for people in the Virgin Islands,” he added, urging the government and lawmakers to develop broader measures to address the financial challenges facing residents.

The debate on the electricity-rate adjustment was led by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), who said the targeted measure was necessary to support BVIEC’s financial viability while limiting the direct impact on the majority of customers.