Caption: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Photo: T&T Parliament

THE United National Congress (UNC) Government on Saturday passed its first national budget in the House of Representatives, with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar hailing the package as “progressive” and accusing the Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) of obstructing measures aimed at rebuilding the country.

The Appropriation (Financial Year 2026) Bill, 2025, cleared the House despite unified opposition from PNM MPs, according to the Prime Minister.

In a statement after the vote, Persad-Bissessar condemned what she called the PNM’s “shameful conduct,” saying the Opposition had “once again stood against the people of Trinidad and Tobago by voting against the people’s budget.”

She said the PNM’s vote was consistent with a “pattern of destruction, obstruction, and emptiness,” and alleged the party opposed provisions that include increased salaries for public servants, expanded health care, upgrades to schools and national infrastructure, and support for teachers, doctors and nurses. The Prime Minister also criticised the Opposition for previously describing the budget as “fake and fraudulent,” calling that characterisation “an outright lie.”

The Opposition’s perspective was not immediately available following the vote. During the budget cycle, however, the PNM has repeatedly challenged the Government’s fiscal projections and policy priorities. The Prime Minister further alleged the Budget Debate collapsed last week when some PNM MPs did not rise to contribute—an assertion the Opposition has not publicly addressed.

Persad-Bissessar said her administration emphasised transparency during five full days of scrutiny at the Standing Finance Committee, adding that she participated in the sessions because “the people deserve openness and truth from their leaders.” She also criticized what she described as “unparliamentary behaviour” by Opposition members, including a former prime minister, and urged citizens to “reject the politics of hate and divisiveness.”

Beyond the parliamentary vote, the Prime Minister highlighted the Government’s National Recruitment Drive, saying it has received more than 110,000 applications to date. Interviews are expected to begin next week, with “20,000 citizens” to be hired in the first phase, she said, describing it as the start of broader job-creation and development initiatives.

Persad-Bissessar congratulated the Ministers of Finance and Planning and her government team for delivering what she called a “people-centered, forward-thinking budget,” and pledged to lead with “compassion, courage, and commitment.”