Politics
Sir Alden warns MPs to be brief in budget debate
(CNS): As the new speaker of the House, Sir Alden McLaughlin, got the budget debate proceedings underway in parliament on Monday, he made it clear that he would be running a tight ship over the coming weeks in order to ensure that the debate and then Finance Committee proceedings would be completed before Christmas morning. […]
Owen promises hostile environment for criminals
(CNS): As Cayman faces a surge of gun-related violence and the police opened their fourth murder investigation of the year, the second in which the victim was shot multiple times, Governor Jane Owen told parliament Friday that she would work with the police to make Cayman a “hostile environment forcriminal activity”. In her Throne Speech […]
UPM increasing range of fees in 2024/25 budget
(CNS): Premier and Finance Minister Juliana O’Connor-Connolly said her government would increase some taxes or fees over the 2024-25 budget period, such as a rise in duty on electric cars, stamp duty in high-end locations, work permit applications and some General Registry fees. In the Budget Address delivered on Friday afternoon, she outlined an increase […]
Panton injured in an undisclosed accident
(CNS): Former premier Wayne Panton has been involved in an accident, according to a message delivered by Speaker Sir Alden McLaughlin this morning ahead of the Throne Speech and Budget Address in parliament. McLaughlin told members of the House at the very beginning of proceedings that he had received a message indicating that Panton had […]
Mac’s back in official role as PS to two ministers
(CNS): Just days before McKeeva Bush MP (WBW) was supposed to face trial, accused of indecently assaulting two female civil servants, he was given an official role in the new UPM Government. According to a press release from the CIG communications department, Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly has appointed Bush as parliamentary secretary to Border Control and […]
Ministry dodges questions on sub-sea cable contracts
(CNS): The Ministry of Planning, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure (PAHI) has told CNS that answers to questions we asked about the modernisation of the submarine communications cable, a relevant report and the proposed spending for the project will all require a freedom of information request. On 22 November, the ministry issued a vague press release […]
New government won’t meet the press in 2023
(CNS): Government officials confirmed Monday that the United People’s Movement and its new leader, Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, will not be holding a press conference before the end of 2023. In an unprecedented move, the new administration, which formed after an internal Cabinet coup ousted Wayne Panton from the position of premier, will not face the […]
Offshore related fees won’t increase in coming budget
(CNS): Firms operating in the Cayman Islands most important and lucrative economic pillar will not be subjected to any fee increases in the forthcoming budget, expected to be presented to parliament next week. According to a circular from the Ministry of Financial Services sent to stakeholders business fees across the financial services sector will remain […]
OfReg opens probe into Flow’s 911 outage
(CNS): OfReg has opened an investigation into the unscheduled outage of Flow’s fixed-line network last week which impacted 911 emergency calls. While Flow mobile lines to 911 were unaffected by the outage, in a press release the utilities regulator expressed “deep concern” and said an inquiry is now underway.
Parliament meeting set to deliver UPM budget
(CNS): The United People’s Movement government will bring the 2024/25 budget to parliament on 8 December. In a press release from the House, the Speaker, Sir Alden McLaughlin called for the second meeting and official state opening of the 2023-24 session of the parliament to begin next Friday at 10am. It will include the governor’s […]
Bills passed to improve BO disclosure regime
(CNS): Financial Services Minister André Ebanks has steered several bills through parliament, including a stand-alone Beneficial Transparency Ownership Act to improve the current regime on how information relating to who benefits from financial entities registered here is shared and to stay ahead of changing standards and rules. Explaining the law during last week’s special parliamentary […]
