Budget 2026 at the Halfway Mark: What Was Promised, What Was Delivered
The Finance Minister used the word 'will' 296 times in the budget. Six months later, we check the receipts.
Read the analysisThe Finance Minister used the word 'will' 296 times in the budget. Six months later, we check the receipts.
Read the analysisThe Solomon Hochoy Highway Extension to Point Fortin was contracted at $5.2 billion in 2011. The cost has since exceeded $8 billion. The Mosquito Creek section collapsed in 2022 and had a March 2026 rebuild deadline. That deadline has passed with no public confirmation of completion.
Read the analysisThe March deadline has passed. The Health Minister says UDeCOTT's 90% claim doesn't match what he saw. The question nobody is asking: who will staff 540 new beds?
Read the analysisCaribbean Airlines has not published audited financial statements in over eight years. The 2026 budget tripled its loan allocation. The new board says change is coming. We have heard this before.
Read the analysisPort of Spain's development funding was cut 79%. Chaguanas got a 116% increase. The PM told opposition areas to stop complaining.
Read the analysisThe government eliminated CEPEP and URP, promised 20,000 permanent positions, and received 110,000 applications. In Port of Spain, 500 workers became 12.
Read the analysisFrom January's flash floods to June's riverine disasters, the same communities drown under the same inadequate infrastructure while the budget allocates the same money year after year.
Read the analysis