Thursday, March 28, 2024

Welfare spike

Date:

Share post:

In the last year of Barbados’ two-year battle with the COVID-19 pandemic, those needing welfare assistance have nearly doubled, moving from about 3 500 to 6 500 people.

This staggering statistic was revealed yesterday by Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey, who also disclosed that the frequency of assistance had also increased, resulting in a 900 per cent increase in cost of social service provided to the public.

Humphrey explained that last year, the Welfare Department provided around $100 000 per month, but that had now grown to a hundred thousand dollars shy of a million per month.

“We have moved from about 3 500 persons to about 6 500 persons, so there has almost been a doubling of the persons. There has also been an increase in the frequency with which these persons would want help. It is no longer a case of one-offs, people are going to keep coming back, so that there has been that additional pressure on the system. We have looked at a number of areas that we would like to strengthen in terms of the gaps,” said Humphrey, who was responding to questions from the media during a press conference following a courtesy call from a European Union delegation. (CLM)

Subscribe now to our eNATION edition for the full story.

For the latest stories and breaking news updates download the Nationnews apps for iOS and Android.

 

2 COMMENTS

  1. How Many persons were severed during covid and still have no jobs no assistance and living off of nothing.
    Thank goodness for family and friends to feed and support tgem.

  2. This pandemic should be a teaching tool for people; when they are working they should not spend all their money. The same way friends and family are standing on their own feet; they too should be able to stand on their own as well. Some Barbadians have become handicap even though they have all their senses. The government and private businesses need to make it possible that people have jobs to support themselves. And people too should have a plan to support their own way in life. And not sit around waiting on the government for handouts. The government should support disable people who can\\\’t work; not people with all their cylinders on full blast.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related articles

BDF to conduct simulation exercise on April 2 & 3

The Barbados Defence Force (BDF) will conduct a Mass Casualty Simulation Exercise from Tuesday, April 2, to Wednesday,...

Barbadians reminded to file taxes online as filing season starts

The Barbados Revenue Authority (the BRA) is advising that tax filing season for 2023 begins on April 1 this...

Minister Abrahams’ statement on Ismail Patel’s passing

Below is the full statement by Minister of Home Affairs and Information, Wilfred Abrahams: I was saddened to...

Water bills for March to include February charges

A few weeks ago, the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) informed customers in parts of Christ Church and St....