‘The budget doesn’t touch the lives of the people’- Hon Walwyn
The budget was presented by Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheately (R7) on November 6, 2025, to the tune of five hundred and fifty million, five hundred and ninety-one thousand dollars ($550,591,000.00).
The budget was presented under the theme, ‘Pillars of Progress – Building a Sustainable Nation’ and is the largest budget in the Virgin Islands’ (VI) history.
Are people feeling the impact?
The budget debate proceeded on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, during the Continuation of the Twelfth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA).
During his contribution to the debate, Hon Walwyn said, “We say we have the largest budget, Madam Speaker, of 550 [million], but are people feeling the impact of the budget? Are people feeling the impact, Madam Speaker? A large budget doesn’t mean it’s people-focused.”
He added that while the budget pays for the government’s wages, pensions and systems, with some allocated for capital, none goes directly to “bread and butter issues without more”.
The government, Hon Walwyn said, needs to do more.
“It doesn’t touch the lives of the people; the budget doesn’t touch the lives of the people.”
A different reality for the people
Hon Walwyn added that there is consistent talk of increased Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but the people of the Virgin Islands live a different reality.
“We hear talk, Madam Speaker, about increased GDP every time the Premier gets up with his speech. You could eat GDP? The GDP big, and people having difficulties…But this is what the reality is for people on the ground, that this budget doesn’t begin to touch.”
Hon Walwyn said prices of basic goods are constantly being increased.
“That is what people deal with every single day. And if you want to eat healthy in the BVI, you have a problem, because it’s going to cost you money…and then electricity, water, rent.”
The Opposition Leader went a step further and stated that people are “broke” by the middle of the month and are just waiting for the month to come to an end.
“But by the time the end of the month comes, the house rent gone with it. That, Madam Speaker, is the reality of what we are dealing with. So you have the biggest budget, but it doesn’t touch, Madam Speaker, the lives of the people of the country. And so we got to take it more seriously.”
See link to related story
.jpg)
1.jpg)
.png)
Follow Us On
5 Responses to “‘The budget doesn’t touch the lives of the people’- Hon Walwyn”
his group had back to back terms in the administration of this territory and in the position to fix our country
all now after almost 10 million tax payers money was dish out for an aircraft the residence or citizens have not seen it yet
The million dollars wall when you in that neighborhood watch it good
Pier park 40 million overrun still not done when you in that neighborhood simply take a look
some of us wants such issues swept under the carpet but the truth will always be an offense
we elected the 13 of them to develop this place for a brighter future for our children but look around
rather than bickering against each other why cant the 13 elected sit with some cane rum and put ideas together for the future & betterment of the country
The only time you don’t hear old talk for hours during a sitting of House Of Assembly is when there is an agenda for the 13 members to get another raise of pay
2027 all 13 need to go where dem liv