The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

A Cabinet minister yesterday said school uniform assistance provided to vulnerable Bahamian families will increase by 100 percent in the upcoming 2022-2023 Budget year.

Obie Wilchcombe, minister for social services and community development, told the House of Assembly during his Budget debate contribution that the Government will “increase across the board assistance to all of our clients by 10 percent” in the new fiscal year that begins on July 1.

“All of our clients will get more money beginning next month,” he added. “All of our clients will get more money next month if you’re single, you’re married. They will get more health assistance. They’ll get more shelter assistance, all because we care.

“All because the money has been put in the Budget to provide the assistance, out of the money provided for us, to be able to help our people even more than we’ve done in the past. And we’re going to spend the $500,000 to build that home shelter for women.”

Prime Minister Philip Davis QC, in the original 2022-2023 Budget unveiling, said the Government is increasing social assistance funding for vulnerable Bahamians - already struggling with the rising cost of living due to soaring inflation - by 50 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels. He also announced increased allocations to select non-governmental organisations (NGOs) by 10 percent, much of which will go towards the feeding programmes they run.

Mr Wilchcombe yesterday said financial assistance for school uniform purchases will be doubled compared to previous years. “What was $400,000 is now $800,000,” he said. The minister added that only $95,000 was spent for uniform assistance from last year’s Budget,

“No child will be left behind. No child will not have the support,” he said. Mr Wilchcombe said his ministry, working with the Ministry of Education, will implement a “breakfast programme” so that no child should go to school hungry and be unable to work.