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Throne Speech: Public assistance grants increase proposed

Governor Daniel Pruce in the Speech from the Throne on January 7, 2025, said the Ministry of Health and Social Development has proposed increasing the public assistance grants amount. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
The Public Assistance (Amendment) Act, 2024 was assented to in December 2024 by Governor Daniel Pruce. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
The Public Assistance (Amendment) Act, 2024 was assented to in December 2024 by Governor Daniel Pruce. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Ministry of Health and Social Development has proposed increasing the public assistance grants amount while areas needed to be defined through regulations under the Public Assistance Act is being worked on.

This was announced by Governor Daniel Pruce in the Speech from the Throne on January 7, 2025, commencing the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA).

Amended act recently assented to

In December 2024, it was announced that the Public Assistance (Amendment) Act, 2024 was assented to by Governor Pruce, modernising the 2013 legislation to provide more inclusive and effective support.

It also broadens the range of support available by introducing both financial and non-financial forms of assistance.

In addition to non-financial support, the 2024 Amendment establishes shock response grants for disaster recovery and hardship allowances to address unexpected crises, such as urgent medical care, temporary housing, and support for individuals fleeing domestic abuse. The amendment also introduces basic income grants, which include both long-term and short-term grants for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers, ensuring a consistent safety net for those unable to sustain themselves due to age, health conditions, or caregiving responsibilities.

UNICEF & AG’s Chambers working on needed regulations- Governor Pruce

While the recently assented act aims to bring much-needed improvements, Governor Pruce said there are provisions allowing for several prescribed areas to be defined through regulations.

“These include income thresholds for eligibility, any other forms of emergency assistance that may be considered necessary for persons with an urgent financial need, and other critical areas which must be clearly defined for the benefit of the end users,” he said.

The governor revealed that work on these regulations is ongoing with the support of a UNICEF legal expert and the Attorney General’s Chambers. This should be finalised in early 2025, he added.

“In the interim, the Ministry proposes increasing the Public Assistance Grant amounts to provide a more substantial and immediate relief to vulnerable persons in the community, while the legislative process is completed,” Governor Pruce stated.

8 Responses to “Throne Speech: Public assistance grants increase proposed”

  • PoWe (09/01/2025, 13:58) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well the steady import of poverty and their subsequent multiplication sans a baby daddy,the miraculous conceptions deems this a necessity in these VI. Po We
  • open wide (09/01/2025, 19:31) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    THE COI HAS MADE THE PEOPLE VERY POOR WORST OFF AND THAT'S A FACT
  • Norris Turnbull (09/01/2025, 19:31) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Anyone working for the government 30 plus years should not be paid a measerly $1600 social security
    a month. That is a dam disgrace and abuse of process.
    • @Nortis Turnbull (13/01/2025, 03:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      This is my EXACT figure after working for 40 years.

      Imagine JUST $1600.
      WHAT A BIG INSULT!
  • . (10/01/2025, 01:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Stiller on the plantation
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (10/01/2025, 09:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Much more talking about what we are should do politically, than what we are doing to bring closer to balance the distribution of the financial gap between the super rich, and the daily hard-pressed poor in the BVI. To many millions are been unaccounted for politically without proper investigation and legal actions of justice against the perpetrators.
    Furthermore, it seems evidencial that in many and my opinion that the UK has not done enough fast and efficient to curb the continuation of political misdeeds especially against small income workers and small income social security receivers. For what purpose was the the CoI for, if it is be been done as close to recommended to our passed and present Governor.

    With basic needs of minimal survival requirements unreachable by small income earners in the fact of high rising cost of food and others essential survival needs, how then will crimes be curbed without first political greediness be first curbed????

    My people, we are being punch from both political sides:. The UK'S side and our voted in to power by our local side. That's not to say that good things have not been done and others too, but who are the big benefactors?
    Answer up and coming: greedy covetous people both here, there and everywhere on this earth.

    True love is the answer, not UK'S love, not BVI LOVE, but only GOD'S LOVE.

  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (10/01/2025, 14:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sorry for the few typo errors, but I do hope you understand what I meant in reference to: "The Thrown Speech by our Hon. Governor, Daniel Pruce's good speech, but lacks precise actions of curbing political and other greedy practices that are continuing daily under his watch.

    Keep hoping for better. Keep hope alive. Never give up.


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