Arthur: Spending cuts not the answer

LEADER?OF?THE?OPPOSITION Owen Arthur has charged that Government is considering spending cuts at the Sanitation Service Authority (SSA), the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West?Indies UWI) and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).
These spending cuts, he said, were aimed at Government’s attempt to correct a $350 million deficit.
Speaking at the Barbados Labour Party’s (BLP) mass meeting at College Bottom/Sargeant Street,?St John, last Sunday night, Arthur warned that the island was facing its greatest ever economic crisis – largely due to the failed policies of the ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP).
“Chris Sinckler (Minister of Finance) brought what was supposed to be a Budget to Parliament that has not addressed the crisis,” Arthur said.
He argued that Government was spending $500 million, yet Sinckler’s Budget would only yield $150 million.
“So now he is meeting with his advisors to discuss how that $350 million will be dealt with,” Arthur said.
“And what is being considered are decisions that will affect your children’s university education, the Sanitation Service Authority and how often your garbage will be picked up and your access to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
“Many things in Barbados we have become accustomed to and are integral to the quality of life we enjoy will be no more,” he charged. (CG)