By Faith Edwards
PRIME Minister Stuart Young has expressed concern over the affordability of the United National Congress (UNC) 2025 general election promises, following warnings from journalist Anthony Wilson and economist Dr Vanus James.
Wilson estimated the proposals could cost up to $18 billion and flagged the lack of revenue-generating measures, while James cautioned that the promises were disconnected from economic reality and lacked credible funding sources.
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In his April 3 article titled “Can T&T Afford Kamla’s Promises?,” Young said, Wilson outlined the cost of seven key financial commitments made by UNC Political Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and warns of the economic implications if implemented without a plan for revenue generation.
He said Wilson calculated the financial impact of these promises as follows:
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Increase in Public Sector Compensation – A proposed minimum 10% increase in public service salaries could cost up to $12 billion, with more than $1 billion in recurring annual expenses.
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Reduction in Corporate Tax by 5% – This would lead to a loss of $1.5 billion in government revenue.
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Removal of VAT on 7,000 Basic Food Items – An additional $1.5 billion in revenue would disappear.
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Elimination of Property Tax – Estimated loss of $150 million.
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Removal of 7% Online Purchase Tax – A cut of $62 million annually.
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Fuel Subsidy Increase – Would require the Government to find an extra $2 billion per year.
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Regularisation of Contract Workers
While a specific figure was not provided with the seventh promise, Young noted the contradiction in this promise, pointing out that the expansion of contract labour began under the UNC-led administration from 2010 to 2015.
He said that, up to this point, the UNC has not provided any concrete revenue-generating measures to balance these expenses.
Young said Wilson wrote, “From where I sit, there is absolutely no way short of a miracle that a Trinidad and Tobago government led by Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar is going to be able to deliver on promises… that will cost taxpayers an estimated $18 billion.”
He said that citizens should not be misled by what he described as “a bag of poisonous lies,” especially regarding the UNC’s record on contract workers during its previous term in office.
Young said, “He is cautioning Trinidad and Tobago, there is no way that, that government, any government could afford an additional $18 billion.”
Young also mentioned that the opposition has failed to provide a manifesto.
He added, “Whereas team PNM launched 180 pages of policy and of a bold, innovative plan last week Wednesday, a whole new chapter working till three in the morning after a full day’s work to make sure we presented to the population.”
Young referenced economist Dr Vanus James.
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He stated that the article published on Tuesday, headlined “Economist Concerned About Unrealistic Campaign Promises,” James warned that the proposals on the campaign trail are “superficial and disconnected from the economic reality facing Trinidad and Tobago.”
Young said that James’ caution was significant, noting that this is an independent economist who has “held us to task for nine and a half years.”
He said, James warned that the pledges lack connection to the country’s economic reality and fail to identify any sources of funding.
