Beautiful Virgin Islands

Friday, Oct 24, 2025

Prices & taxes gone up while ‘rate of pay constant’ in VI- Hon Malone

Prices & taxes gone up while ‘rate of pay constant’ in VI- Hon Malone

Opposition Member Hon Carvin Malone (AL) has called on legislators to find ways to ease the burden on the people of the Virgin Islands (VI) as, according to him prices for goods and services, along with taxes, have gone up while the rate of pay has remained mostly constant.

According to Hon Malone, the taxpayers of the VI are already under strain with having to fund recovery from the various economic fallouts.

‘Taxpayers continue to fund recovery’- Hon Malone


“We must recognise that we a living in what I call a post-disaster-pandemic and war-era: post-2017 hurricanes; post-2020 -2021 COVID Global Pandemic; post a 2021-2022 Commission of Inquiry and an ongoing economic fallout of a Russia Ukrainian war.

“The taxpayers of the Virgin Islands continue to fund recovery from each of these occurrences from regional loans, social security grants, the consolidated fund, the reserve fund, and the miscellaneous purpose fund,” Hon Malone said in a statement on the passing in the House of Assembly (HoA) of the second Supplementary Appropriation (SAP) reducing total estimated expenditure by $8,069,884.

The SAP was approved during the continuation of the 4th Session of the Fourth House of Assembly at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff’s Bottom, Tortola on August 30, 2022.

‘No UK Grants & Recovery Assistance forthcoming’


According to Hon Malone, funding originally destined for operations and capital improvements and for development had to be diverted as the territory is expected and has provided the funds required for recovery from these disasters, pandemics and economic fallouts from its own resources as UK grants and UK recovery assistance are not forthcoming.

“Nevertheless, as legislators, we are called upon to recognise the economic strains that are being exacted on each household and on the citizens of the Virgin Islands.

“We must find ways to ease the burden and lighten the economic loads. The prices of food, energy, transportation, taxes, and everyday living have all risen and yet the rate of pay has remained constant in most measures. This is not easily fixed as, like fuel charges, it affects the price of goods and services in each economy.”

According to the Opposition Member, all efforts must now be centered on legislating, approving, and assenting to the various revenue-raising measures proposed in earlier meetings.

“There is a balance and together we must seek and have it resolved for the benefit of all. I so resolve,” Hon Malone stated.

According to Hon Carvin Malone (AL), funding originally destined for operations and capital improvements and for development had to be diverted as the territory is expected and has provided the funds required for recovery from these disasters, pandemics and economic fallouts from its own resources as UK grants and UK recovery assistance are not forthcoming.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Porsche Reverses EV Strategy as New CEO Bets on Petrol and Hybrids
Singapore’s Prime Minister Warns of ‘Messy’ Transition to Post-American Global Order
Andreessen Horowitz Sets Sights on Ten-Billion-Dollar Fund for Tech Surge
US Administration Under President Donald Trump Reportedly Lifts Ban on Ukraine’s Use of Storm Shadow Missiles Against Russia
‘Frightening’ First Night in Prison for Sarkozy: Inmates Riot and Shout ‘Little Nicolas’
White House Announces No Imminent Summit Between Trump and Putin
US and Qatar Warn EU of Trade and Energy Risks from Tough Climate Regulation
Apple Challenges EU Digital Markets Act Crackdown in Landmark Court Battle
Nicolas Sarkozy begins five-year prison term at La Santé in Paris
Japan stocks surge to record as Sanae Takaichi becomes Prime Minister
This Is How the 'Heist of the Century' Was Carried Out at the Louvre in Seven Minutes: France Humiliated as Crown with 2,000 Diamonds Vanishes
China Warns UK of ‘Consequences’ After Delay to London Embassy Approval
France’s Wealthy Shift Billions to Luxembourg and Switzerland Amid Tax and Political Turmoil
"Sniper Position": Observation Post Targeting 'Air Force One' Found Before Trump’s Arrival in Florida
Shouting Match at the White House: 'Trump Cursed, Threw Maps, and Told Zelensky – "Putin Will Destroy You"'
Windows’ Own ‘Siri’ Has Arrived: You Can Now Talk to Your Computer
Thailand and Singapore Investigate Cambodian-Based Prince Group as U.S. and U.K. Sanctions Unfold
‘No Kings’ Protests Inflate Numbers — But History Shows Nations Collapse Without Strong Executive Power
Chinese Tech Giants Halt Stablecoin Launches After Beijing’s Regulatory Intervention
Manhattan Jury Holds BNP Paribas Liable for Enabling Sudanese Government Abuses
Trump Orders Immediate Release of Former Congressman George Santos After Commuting Prison Sentence
S&P Downgrades France’s Credit Rating, Citing Soaring Debt and Political Instability
Ofcom Rules BBC’s Gaza Documentary ‘Materially Misleading’ Over Narrator’s Hamas Ties
Diane Keaton’s Cause of Death Revealed as Pneumonia, Family Confirms
Former Lostprophets Frontman Ian Watkins Stabbed to Death in British Prison
"The Tsunami Is Coming, and It’s Massive": The World’s Richest Man Unveils a New AI Vision
Outsider, Heroine, Trailblazer: Diane Keaton Was Always a Little Strange — and Forever One of a Kind
Dramatic Development in the Death of 'Mango' Founder: Billionaire's Son Suspected of Murder
Two Years of Darkness: The Harrowing Testimonies of Israeli Hostages Emerging From Gaza Captivity
EU Moves to Use Frozen Russian Assets to Buy U.S. Weapons for Ukraine
Europe Emerges as the Biggest Casualty in U.S.-China Rare Earth Rivalry
HSBC Confronts Strategic Crossroads as NAB Seeks Only Retail Arm in Australia Exit
U.S. Chamber Sues Trump Over $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
Shenzhen Expo Spotlights China’s Quantum Step in Semiconductor Self-Reliance
China Accelerates to the Forefront in Global Nuclear Fusion Race
Yachts, Private Jets, and a Picasso Painting: Exposed as 'One of the Largest Frauds in History'
Australia’s Wedgetail Spies Aid NATO Response as Russian MiGs Breach Estonian Airspace
McGowan Urges Chalmers to Cut Spending Over Tax Hike to Close $20 Billion Budget Gap
Victoria Orders Review of Transgender Prison Placement Amid Safety Concerns for Female Inmates
U.S. Treasury Mobilises New $20 Billion Debt Facility to Stabilise Argentina
French Business Leaders Decry Budget as Macron’s Pro-Enterprise Promise Undermined
Trump Claims Modi Pledged India Would End Russian Oil Imports Amid U.S. Tariff Pressure
Surging AI Startup Valuations Fuel Bubble Concerns Among Top Investors
Australian Punter Archie Wilson Tears Up During Nebraska Press Conference, Sparking Conversation on Male Vulnerability
Australia Confirms U.S. Access to Upgraded Submarine Shipyard Under AUKUS Deal
“Firepower” Promised for Ukraine as NATO Ministers Meet — But U.S. Tomahawks Remain Undecided
Brands Confront New Dilemma as Extremists Adopt Fashion Labels
The Sydney Sweeney and Jeans Storm: “The Outcome Surpassed Our Wildest Dreams”
Erika Kirk Delivers Moving Tribute at White House as Trump Awards Charlie Presidential Medal of Freedom
British Food Influencer ‘Big John’ Detained in Australia After Visa Dispute
×