By: Omar Silva, NP Staff Writer

Belize City, Friday, 24 March 2023

During the budget debate on the Revenue Appropriation Bill 2023/2004, Tracy Panton, the Area Representative for Albert, raised several concerns about the Briceño Administration's budget and its performance.

Panton criticized the government for not fulfilling the promises made in the PlanBelize manifesto and the insufficient budget for 2023/2024, which is two hundred and ten point eight million dollars less than the expenses of the government, inclusive of the wage bill. She claimed that the government's recurrent expenses are consuming seventy percent of every dollar collected in the public purse, leaving little room for investment in citizenry and improving the lives of Belizeans.

Panton also criticized the Prime Minister's lack of new strategies to navigate the current economic times and the government's lack of transparency and accountability in public affairs. She expressed doubt that the figures outlined in this year's estimates are a true reflection of how the government intends to manage the public purse while maintaining its commitment to the IMF for fiscal consolidation.

Furthermore, Panton analyzed the allocation of wages and allowances for non-established staff in the public sector and found that the wage bill for these staff has increased by over $23 million. She believes that the monies are not being allocated correctly, leaving less funding available for social safety net programs.

However, the budget debate saw differing opinions, with the Opposition Leader Shyne Barrow describing the budget as both bloated and broken. Panton's concerns were not shared by all, and the government defended its budget and fiscal policies.

Overall, the budget debate highlighted the different opinions and concerns surrounding the government's budget and fiscal policies. While some are critical of the budget and its allocations, others believe that it is necessary for the government's commitment to the IMF for fiscal consolidation. The government will need to address the concerns raised by opposition members and ensure that the budget is allocated correctly to improve the lives of all Belizeans.