The Budget Debate begins today, and it brings serious questions. Lawmakers will discuss the 2026 Budget. Yet many citizens wonder if the debate will tackle real issues or repeat old lines. Around the world, budgets shape national direction. However, Antigua and Barbuda still treats the Budget mainly as a financial update, not a strategic guide.

The Government enters with strong numbers. There is a projected surplus, slower inflation, and moderate growth. These results matter. Still, nations with forward-looking debates use stability as a starting point, not the finish. They ask what future they are building and what weaknesses they must fix.

Moreover, this standard exposes a hard truth. The Budget speaks to the Treasury, not the nation. For instance, food security remains a major gap. A near $2 billion import bill should push bold action. Other small islands now treat food production as national security. They set targets, fund investment, and track results. Our Budget notes the issue, yet it lacks a plan strong enough to cut dependence. In a world of supply shocks and climate stress, that risk is unacceptable.

Wages and productivity show another weakness. Competitive nations debate skills, training, and income growth. They prepare workers for rapid technological change. However, the Budget offers no roadmap to boost productivity. It provides no strategy to raise wages or close key skills gaps.

Education also shows missed chances. Free CXC exams will help families. Yet many Caribbean neighbours already offer this support. So Antigua and Barbuda is following, not leading. The deeper test asks if we modernise schools, fix shortages, and teach digital skills. Free exams ease pressure today, but they do not shape tomorrow.

Digital readiness gets little attention as well. Many nations invest in cybersecurity and AI. Yet our Budget barely addresses these needs. Without digital planning, we risk falling behind. Transportation remains another silent area. Modern economies debate mobility, energy use, and transit access. We still rely on an informal system with no long-term plan.

Most worrying, the Budget lacks a poverty-reduction framework. We do not even know how many households struggle. Without data, hardship stays hidden.

Today’s debate will cover revenue and spending. But true progress demands more. Antigua and Barbuda must discuss its future, not just its figures.

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