Lawrence blasts ‘out-of-touch’ budget

Deputy Speaker Clarissa Riehl (right), Opposition Leader Robert Corbin (second right) and other PNCR MPs outside the Parliament Chamber after all PNCR members walked out in outrage over the way Labour Minister Manzoor Nadir referred to newly-appointed PNCR Shadow Finance Minister Volda Lawrence, which PNCR MP Debra Backer vigorously protested. (Photo by Jules Gibson)

Newly-appointed PNCR Shadow Finance Minister Volda Lawrence says the 2011 budget is disconnected from the realities of unemployment, tax burdens and climbing migration rates, among other things, which reflect on the real state of affairs in the country.

She said the administration has rolled out a budget with “a few elections sweets,” and criticised the increases in the income tax threshold, old age pension and public assistance as meagre. She questioned what progress Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh referred to in his budget