During the FY2016/17 Budget presentation, the Hon. Audley Shaw, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, announced that the Income tax threshold would be increased from $592,800 to $1,000,272.00. This in effect means that all pensioners, P.A.Y.E. self-employed and other individuals would benefit from the increase which takes effect July 1, 2016, with a further increase to $1,500,096 on April 1, 2017. In...

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information is advanced in its efforts to remove pit latrines from all schools by 2017. Minister of State in the Ministry, Hon. Floyd Green,  informed that this will be done with the help of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF); the Culture, Health, Arts, Sport and Education (CHASE) Fund; and Food For The Poor...

The Senate on Tuesday (May 31) passed the Appropriations Bill, which authorises the Government to spend funds allocated in the 2016/17 Budget. The $580 Billion budget was passed last Wednesday (May 25) in the House of Representatives. Deputy Leader of Government Business in the Upper House, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, who piloted the Bill, said the Government has crafted...

The Government has increased the allocation for national security in the 2016/17 Budget. “The total resources provided is $59.2 billion, up by $2.4 billion from the $56.8 billion provided in the Revised Budget of 2015/2016,” said Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, as he closed the Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on May 25....

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government will be taking “bold and decisive” measures to significantly reduce crime and violence in the country, particularly against the most vulnerable. Among the measures to be implemented is a special process within the court system for the prosecution and trial of murders, which will serve to expedite the cases. Making...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has announced that a National Policy Office will be established, which will drive the Government’s economic growth strategy.             He said the office will augment the work of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation and will be staffed by technically knowledgeable managers drawn from the existing agencies and departments under the...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, said the Government intends to continue the overhaul of the tax system to promote reliability, equity and economic efficiency.             Mr. Holness made the comment during his Budget Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on May 24.             As part of the reform process, the Government is moving to increase the personal...