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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Former Leader of the People’s Action Movement (PAM) and Parliamentary Representative for Constituency #5, Hon. Shawn Richards, delivered a scathing critique of the government’s handling of the inflation crisis during his address on the 2025 Budget on December 19, 2024. Richards accused the current administration of failing to effectively mitigate the economic challenges confronting St. Kitts and Nevis.

Addressing the National Assembly, Richards questioned the government’s apparent inaction in curbing inflation’s impact on the nation. “I’m not necessarily going to argue that inflation is not driven to a large extent by the international economy, but… we cannot do anything relative to inflation in St. Kitts and Nevis. I don’t accept it, Madam Speaker,” he declared.

Richards explained inflation’s far-reaching consequences, describing it as “an increase in the prices of goods and services over time, which causes a relative decrease in purchasing power.” He pointed to historical data, referencing 2015, when the country achieved a negative inflation rate of -2.30%—a stark contrast to global inflation trends at the time.

He further criticized the government’s failure to implement policies that alleviate the financial burdens faced by citizens. “Instead of hearing that we can expect a reduction in inflation because of the policies of the government, what we’re hearing is that we can expect a further increase in inflation,” he lamented.

Richards highlighted the personal struggles of ordinary citizens, sharing a poignant story about a parent unable to afford adequate school uniforms for her child. “A parent said to me that she has only bought one skirt and one blouse to send her daughter to school because she cannot afford to buy any more,” he revealed, underscoring the harsh realities faced by families.

The opposition leader also critiqued the transient nature of the government’s proposed measures to address inflation, suggesting that they offer no long-term solutions. “You said for the next six months… I will speak on what you presented,” Richards stated, questioning the administration’s commitment to sustainable economic relief.

Richards’ passionate address has sparked widespread debate, with critics of the government echoing his concerns and calling for a more comprehensive approach to tackle inflation and support struggling families. The budget discussions continue, but the fiery exchange has left many questioning whether the government’s policies are sufficient to address the mounting economic challenges.