Members of the Anguilla House of Assembly have concluded their 2026 Budget debates, which this year followed a newly revised format to enhance public understanding.
Premier Cora Richardson Hodge presented the Bill for Appropriation (2026) Act, 2025 on 11 November, which she called a “call to unity, shared purpose and common good”.
On 17 and 18 November, ministers delivered their individual budgets outlining key priorities and fiscal considerations for the upcoming year.
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The Committee of the Whole, made up of both government and opposition members, then convened on 19 November to examine the financial proposals in greater detail.
Permanent secretaries from each ministry delivered comprehensive overviews of projected spending, offering clarity on programme implementation and budget execution.
Members of the committee also engaged in detailed discussions with public servants from their respective ministries and departments.
In a public statement on 20 November, speaker Tara Carter, expressed her appreciation to participating public officers for their commitment and contributions to the new budget process.
“Your attendance was essential to the proper functioning of a critical budgetary process,” she said.
“The detailed presentation of your departmental estimates and your willingness to respond to questions from members demonstrated the professionalism and dedication that the people of Anguilla expect and deserve from their public service.
“I commend you for an outstanding performance during the session. The development and prosperity of Anguilla depend greatly upon the effective stewardship of public officers like yourselves.”
A government press release on 21 November said the expanded format – incorporating post-debate consultations with ministerial teams – marks a new direction for House of Assembly proceedings.
“The process now offers the general public a clearer understanding of the rationale behind budgetary allocations for each ministry and department,” it added.
During a government press conference on 24 November, infrastructure minister Jose Vanterpool commended the speaker, clerk and Anguilla House of Assembly staff for their conduct.
“I definitely think that this was one of the more effective budget debates that went on, and we can definitely gauge that by the number the level of public engagement with the process,” he said.
The 2026 Budget was passed on 19 November. Anguilla Focus will discuss the budgetary allocations in more detail in subsequent articles.
