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Junior Minister for Financial Services, Economic Development and Digital Transformation Lorna Smith has presented information to Premier and Minister of Finance Dr Natalio Wheatley to support a decision on further concessions ahead of Christmas.
Speaking recently in the House of Assembly, Smith raised concerns about whether residents would be able to enjoy the festive season as they have become accustomed to without additional relief.
Her comments come amid residents’ concerns over the cost of living, including the prices of goods and electricity.
“Should we not be able to give some further concessions, the word is that maybe, maybe we would not have the kind of Christmas that we want to have,” Smith said.
She did not detail the information submitted or the specific concessions she hoped would follow, and made clear that she could not speak for the Premier.
“I have presented the Premier with certain information that I hope would allow him to make a decision that would give us the kind of Christmas that we have grown accustomed to,” she stated.
Addressing the Supplementary Appropriation Provision, Smith said the Government had provided concessions totalling $6 million covering electricity and goods.
She acknowledged complaints from residents who said they had not felt the impact of concessions on the basket of goods. However, she said the Central Statistics Office had established that supermarket prices had stabilised.
Smith thanked supermarkets that cooperated with the initiative and maintained that prices would otherwise have been higher.
“As I said, we have no control over what the cost of goods are going to be, but because of the concession of $6 million, those prices have been lower than they would have been ordinarily,” she said.
In his 2027 Budget Address, Wheatley outlined measures taken to cushion households against rising costs, including reduced duties and the removal of freight and insurance from customs valuation for food, hygiene, household and medical essentials.
He said the Government had also halved wharfage charges from two per cent to one per cent and container-handling charges from $300 to $150, while committing $5.5 million to electricity subsidies over several months.
“These interventions helped to provide a cushion for families when they needed it most,” Wheatley said.
The Premier also stated that the Consumer Protection Amendment Act received assent on August 27, 2026. He said that, once implemented, it would strengthen safeguards against unsafe products and exploitative business practices while controlling the prices of essential goods.
Speaking recently in the House of Assembly, Smith raised concerns about whether residents would be able to enjoy the festive season as they have become accustomed to without additional relief.
Her comments come amid residents’ concerns over the cost of living, including the prices of goods and electricity.
“Should we not be able to give some further concessions, the word is that maybe, maybe we would not have the kind of Christmas that we want to have,” Smith said.
She did not detail the information submitted or the specific concessions she hoped would follow, and made clear that she could not speak for the Premier.
“I have presented the Premier with certain information that I hope would allow him to make a decision that would give us the kind of Christmas that we have grown accustomed to,” she stated.
Addressing the Supplementary Appropriation Provision, Smith said the Government had provided concessions totalling $6 million covering electricity and goods.
She acknowledged complaints from residents who said they had not felt the impact of concessions on the basket of goods. However, she said the Central Statistics Office had established that supermarket prices had stabilised.
Smith thanked supermarkets that cooperated with the initiative and maintained that prices would otherwise have been higher.
“As I said, we have no control over what the cost of goods are going to be, but because of the concession of $6 million, those prices have been lower than they would have been ordinarily,” she said.
In his 2027 Budget Address, Wheatley outlined measures taken to cushion households against rising costs, including reduced duties and the removal of freight and insurance from customs valuation for food, hygiene, household and medical essentials.
He said the Government had also halved wharfage charges from two per cent to one per cent and container-handling charges from $300 to $150, while committing $5.5 million to electricity subsidies over several months.
“These interventions helped to provide a cushion for families when they needed it most,” Wheatley said.
The Premier also stated that the Consumer Protection Amendment Act received assent on August 27, 2026. He said that, once implemented, it would strengthen safeguards against unsafe products and exploitative business practices while controlling the prices of essential goods.
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