Welfare one of winners in SPS
(CNS): The elderly, indigent, disabled, veterans, seamen and retired civil servants will all be seeing a significant boost to their payments from government over the next three years after the premier announced a more than 36% increase in benefits and grants to all Caymanians who are struggling to provide for themselves. Those receiving welfare will be some of the winners in the next budget, as among the announcements in the Strategic Policy Statement made by Premier Alden McLaughlin Wednesday, he revealed that all ex gratia payments will jump from $550 to $650 next year and then $750 in 2019.
As he presented the government motion calling on the Legislative Assembly to adopt the policy document setting out the administration’s plans for the next three years starting in January 2018, McLaughlin told the members that his government would have liked to increase the poor relief by more, but $1,200 annually per person is a sustainable amount for government to cover. He also revealed that because some retired civil servants have such small pensions, which are in some cases far less than the welfare payments made to the poor, government will be making a top-up stipend to them to supplement their meagre incomes to reach the same amount as those on poor relief.
The premier has also promised a complete review of welfare programmes and improvements at the Needs Assessment Unit and in the provision of rental accommodation for those in need though he rejected any ideas about government building or buying homes for those in temporary hardship.
“Our social services and welfare programmes are inefficient and the programmes, as well as the agencies that deliver them, need reform,” he told the LA, adding that the successful implementation of change in community affairs will be one of the new government’s key priorities. “…We will address the concerns of the effectiveness of the Needs Assessment Unit as well as improve the speed at which landlords and others who provide services to our social services agencies receive payment. Both of these are major areas of complaint and we will correct them.”
The premier also said that he would be creating an Urban Development Commission to help improve the quality of life in disadvantaged communities. “As with individuals, some communities need more help than others,” he said, adding that it will start in the capital as part of the George Town revitalisation initiative but will eventually be expanded to all communities that need help.
Continuing with the government’s campaign commitment to tackle social issues in this administration, confident that the last four years secured the local economy, McLaughlin hinted that the minimum wage may also increase over the next three years. He said the government will review the minimum wage “to ensure it is keeping pace with inflation,” so that it remains relevant to the people it is intended to help.
Although government has made a commitment that it will not raise taxes or fees or enter into new borrowing, it does have plans to increase annual spending.
In addition to welfare being one of the winners, government will also be spending money on getting unemployed and underemployed Caymanians back to work by improving the job market. He spoke about investment in the overhaul of the work-permit system to make it much more transparent, coordinated with a revamped human resources department, an extension of the Ready2Work programme and investment in more apprenticeship programmes and work-based training.
The premier also revealed that there will be extra cash in the budget to improve education.
“As the provider of public education, the government has an absolute responsibility to support our young people…this government will not shirk from that responsibility,” he said. “We need to get the basics right,” he added, revealing an additional $18 million to cover special education; enhancing science, literacy and math; additional teachers as well as skills upgrading for 400 teachers and assistants; and scholarships and youth programmes.
He also revealed plans to spend around $56 million on computer software and equipment, and much-needed improvements at Savannah, Bodden Town and Red Bay Primary schools. Government will also spend some of that cash, he said, on the initial planning work for a new West Bay Primary School as well as completing the new John Gray High School.
Government will also be increasing spending for the police and creating a new border protection agency and coast guard in an effort to clamp down on criminals bringing in drugs and guns. The premier was not specific about how much more the police budget will increase but he said government was not able to meet the police commissioner’s original request to grow the service because of the costs. But he also had concerns with the request to increase the officer count “without sight of an overall plan of action,” he said, adding that government was still committed to providing an increase of 75 officers over the next three years together with added civil service support staff.
See the premier’s full presentation on the SPS in the CNS Library
Category: Government Finance, Policy, Politics
Happy to see the premier / CIG taking steps to address pensions that are much too low!
People who retire meeting at least the minimum (55 years of age and over 10 years service) should at least receive a pension equal to poor relief.
Unison , to whom much is given much is expected sorry not in this case.
Unison , I agree with you wholeheartedly yet still crime is on the increase Jamaican fugitives now infiltrating our little island as a haven to escape justice. Our border control need to be properly equipped and manned with sufficient staff. Bring in some crime experts who can give us expertise as to how to combat crime as evidently the so-called ones on Island are not effective. I would say to the Premier try a different strategy (stop injecting money) its not working, cant you see for yourself, Let them earned it.
Thank you Mr Premier! Can you tell me through this medium if I would be entitled to the increase as I am only receiving $425 monthly pension .
No!
$400!
I have $160.00 for the whole month. Govt should be ashamed of themselves.
Not necessarily 11:33, we would need to know your full details….like for example how long you worked, did you get a COS in lieu of pension and spend it all like many expats did etc etc?
They like it like that…that’s why it’s that way. So on e they up your handouts you will be quiet and obey propaganda?
Any Idea why the Government has all of June, July and the majority of August to tell us what their plan is for their administration, 3/48 months of their term are gone and nothing has happened yet, not to mention the fact that other than the Ministers the LA is a part time job with full time pay, also the pay is better than in some other countries with larger populations and government budgets. Not saying that being an elected official is easy or that their job is simple especially with this “Unity Government” but surely if there was an earlier deadline they would work with haste and meet it
I hope the PPM will reach out to the residents locally who are retired from the Coast Guard (and are still under the retirement age here) with a wealth of knowledge that also possess the skills and qualifications to train our young men and women in this very important area which will benefit our islands tremendously!
Search and rescue skills can save men, women and children lives that are lost at sea, taking into consideration that this unfortunate situation can happen at anytime given time once you leave shore. Sometime no matter how prepared one may be… accidents/engine problems can happen.
Therefore it is of paramount importance that we have people who are highly trained and qualified with these acquired skills coupled with years of experience that can act immediately and don’t need to wait for help to come from the US or the UK! When such an emergency happens…every second counts! Timing, experience and skills can be the recipe for a successful mission in saving lives but – lack of expertise, experience and local qualified personnel is a recipe for disaster and ultimately result in lives being lost!
We have very qualified people right here in the Cayman Islands – tap into these resources! Put an ad in the paper asking all residents that are qualified in these areas to forward CV’s to the CIG Personnel Dept., initially, which can then be compiled in the database and in the interim those individuals can be called on should an emergency of such present itself. Sign a contract with them – do what is necessary to save lives! Don’t wait – delay is danger! Act NOW!!!
all social welfare recipients should be means tested…..
I don’t think that we should just blindly hate on the premier or the PPM, under their administration the economy has definitely seen growth, at the same time we as a people need to be aware of the issues and ensure that we stay on our representatives. I for one am willing to give the premier some time to begin passing policies before I start screaming and shouting about nothing changing, this is his second term, things tend to be slightly different in second terms especially when leaders don’t care as much about getting reelected. (We’ll see about that one Hon. Premier) Moving on to one proposal I will criticise The proposed cruise berthing facility does not have wide public support but it is still being pushed forward. If I am not mistaken (and I’m not) if the majority of the vocal public is against a proposal then said proposal should not be made on our behalf and in our name, because of the gravity of this situation a referendum should be held before any decision is made, an option on the ballot to vote yes or no on the proposal would have been an apt solution, the question is why wasn’t it done, my theory is the government would not have liked the response from the Caymanian people and would have been forced to end this process.
Diogenes, I agree 100% concerning the extremely costly unnecessary dock! Didn’t you once say, “When I look upon seamen, men of science and philosophers, man is the wisest of all beings; when I look upon politicians and priests and prophets nothing is as contemptible as man”?
Glad you noticed 😉
can’t remember these recommendations in the miller shaw or e&y reports……..
Because those reports were pretty useless to be honest. Unless you were planing to mosey up to the trough w/ an EY Report in your hand. (Looking at all of accounting firms turned Ur-consultants.)
Why do we all have to be so negative? I never voted for this man. However, this is something that our Caymanian people can really benefit from. It is a great step for those that are experiencing hard times. This is indeed a good call by the premier. I congratulate him on bringing this forward to our attention, and we are all looking forward to a great outcome towards the future.
Some good news here but still no news on a high school for west bay and an island technical school for any student (regardless of island status) that has an interest in “hands-on” jobs like mechanics/plumbers/electricians/hairdressers/carpenters/fitters. Throw in some business basics such as costings, quoting and management accounts.
Let’s get more people skilled. It may aide the unemployment issue and have other positive impacts.
The Police always get what they want. What about Immigration ??? What about those who are suppose to protect the borders? I understand no resources and skeleton staff :/
Same story as four years ago.
Nothing will change.
And the difference between PPM and CDP with regards to making citizens dependent on a Government handout is???
Open your eyes, the CDP/UDP is still running the show. If you think the Premier is you are mistaken. If the government don’t do what Big Mac say then he will need to have as many tentacles as a centipede has legs to hold on and keep this coilitiom together.
Thank you for keeping us poor Alden while you earn more as a bad leader then you ever could as a very mediocre lawyer…you and your liberal immigration policies have done and continue to do long term damage. It is so obvious that you must be doing it intentionally.
Thanks leading PPM government for making these lovely cayman islands a social welfare state. We are screw….Characteristic of welfare state..
XXXXX
CNS: If you cut and paste a chunk of text, can you say where you got it from please.
Did McKeeva hit the jackpot last time he visited that place or something?
That’s a lot of futuristic planning for money the country has no clue about.
Next time anyone receiving those handouts see a Permit holder they should smile and say, “thank you”. Permit holders are part of the income for Cayman. It’s those “status grants and permanent residency” that line up outside NAU soon as they get that paper, as well as adopt other children and bring them here to tie up the Scholarships and ruin the schools, costing Government even more money.
On that subject, we should create a probation system for those new grants, so they are not allowed to be a burden to the system so soon. but that’s another topic for another day.
This is all about spending and increasing the expenses / budget.
Tell us again Mr. Premier, where exactly is all this money to come from?
We have a clue but it’s not a nice explanation for the ignorant to comprehend.
Now that Jon Jon seen the master plan from the inside again. Will he still want to freeze the permit business? I think not. Better to leave that alone and just give the handouts.
No need to have business ruined or closed just because of Government trying to force certain person onto the work environment, let’s pay them to keep away. It’s only a few.
I wonder if the Premier already used the line “Jon Jon, yu nah see nutting”
When the employment market generates hundreds of positions vacated by WP holders concerned by the new pensions grab at the end of this year, your excuses will start to run dry.
Oh but I suppose the wages you expect to pay foreigners won’t be good enough for you and you’ll whine that all that under education, lack of skills and self entitlement need higher wages to compensate you for your lack of ambition and work ethic.
You must be dreaming. Leave cayman now you greedy high wage worker.
How about helping those, young and old, who cannot afford to pay medical bills because they are uninsured? If the future is looking so rosy and bright why can’t some of this surplus be put towards assisting them? It breaks my heart to see people suffering because they’re unable to afford the medical bills.
Well it seems as if the government is listening. They have already implemented both of Kenneth Bryan motions within the strategic policy statement.
Good job Bryan…..
Beacuase in 2019 ganja oils will be making ci gov lots a $$$ right mr. panton?
Ahh yes, C.I.G have become ganja dealers and they can’t deny it.