Gov’t Provides Additional Support for Health Sector, Most Vulnerable In First Supplementary Estimates

• The Government will be increasing budgetary spending by approximately $33.0Bn during the current fiscal year to provide additional resources to the health sector, increased support for the most vulnerable, along with funding for other critical areas of expenditure due to the coronavirus pandemic. 
• The additional allocation increases the budget to just over $863.0Bn. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, noted that the First Supplementary Estimates are being tabled within the context of government revenues exceeding budgetary targets by $17.3Bn billion for April to July 2021. 
• Robust economic growth of 12.9% for the first quarter of this fiscal year, as the economy begins a strong recovery from COVID-19, has buttressed revenue uptake. Total expenditure is being increased by approximately $33.0Bn, while total revenues are being revised upwards by $33.5Bn for the full fiscal year. 
• Of the $27.5Bn increase in recurrent non-debt expenditure, 56.0% or $15.6Bn is being allocated to the health sector and towards support of the most vulnerable through the SERVE Jamaica Programme. As such, the full-year allocation to the SERVE will increase from $60.0Bn to $75.6Bn. The SERVE Jamaica Programme is the Government’s social and economic recovery initiative that is designed to respond to the challenges posed by COVID-19, and to facilitate a timely recovery from the pandemic and its effects.

(Source: JIS News)