Finance Minister Tables Second Supplementary Estimates

• The Government will be increasing recurrent expenditure by approximately $25.8 billion for FY 2021-22. This has increased the overall expenditure to $893 billion. However, capital remains at the level of the first supplementary estimates, with some reallocation between projects. 
• Clarke said at the point of the First Supplementary Estimates, there were no final settlements with any of the public-sector bargaining groups. Consequently, the Government’s offer for increases in wages and salaries was captured under the Contingencies activity of the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service. Since then, 31 bargaining groups have settled, which is now the primary reason for the Second Supplementary Estimates this fiscal year. 
• An additional $5 billion to the COVID Allocation of Resources for Employees (CARE) Programme, given the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the costs associated with a Special Employment Programme in December 2021, to assist some of those most vulnerable to the economic impact of the pandemic, were also captured in the Second Supplementary Estimates. 
• Debt-related costs also contributed to the second supplementary estimate. The premium for catastrophe bonds issued earlier in the year was not fully captured on the budget and this is being addressed under the Second Supplementary Estimates. Assistance has also been extended to the National Water Commission and the Central Wastewater Treatment Company to facilitate the repayment of maturing guaranteed debt.
• Furthermore, domestic interest rates have increased, and the currency has depreciated, resulting in increases in the debt service requirements. Other expenses such as additional requirements for the Ministry of National Security, and support to the National Solid Waste Management Authority, are being addressed through the supplementary figures.  

(Source: JIS)