Opposition happy with ex-gratia increase

Government’s decision to increase the ex-gratia payment of $950 per month to $1,500 per month has been well received by the Opposition. Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart believed the Government had made a good move.

“As the leader of the Opposition, I am always appreciative when the Government takes the advice of my colleagues and myself on the Opposition benches,” he said, adding the Opposition had asked the Government to undertake such a move frequently this year. 

Mr McTaggart said the increase was particularly important given the fact that most of those receiving the assistance were elderly with little income and relied on this help to survive each month.

Mr McTaggart pointed out that during the Progressives’ tenure in Government, the payment was raised from $500 to $950.

“This assistance needed to increase further due to the dramatic increases in food and everyday costs,” he confirmed. “The announcement that the Government has now, at last, agreed to increase the assistance to some of our most needy from $950 to $1,250 per month is a very good start.”

The Opposition Leader said he was grateful that the Government had listened and agreed that an increase was warranted.

“Our elderly and needy will undoubtedly welcome the added help,” he stated. “I pray that at the budget session in Parliament, the Government will provide for a further increase to at least $1,500. We, in the Opposition, will certainly be calling for it.”