Opposition Senator Critiques Mia Mottley Administration's Pricing Policies, Calls for Transparency

Opposition Senator Ryan Walters has given a blistering critique of the current Mia Mottley administration’s handling of the cost of living, described as an ongoing crisis.

And he has suggested that the PriceCheck app launched by the Ministry of Energy and Business Development last week to allow consumers to search for the best prices on a range of goods and products is not nearly enough

“You cannot feel that you have done something for consumers by telling them where to shop,” he said during a Democratic Labour Party (DLP) town hall meeting on Sunday night.

“This is what I want to challenge the [Minister of Energy and Business Senator Lisa Cummins] to do. We would like to know for every product listed on that website, what was the price in 2018, what is the price today and how did the price get there? Was there a change in duty structure? Was there a change in import price? The government has at its disposal what everything in Barbados is imported at. Tell us what the prices were in 2018, where they are now, what is the variant and investigate if the margins have not changed, why is everything else changing.”

Arguing that the government “is not a PR machine for the private sector and retailers”, Senator Walters said more information must be provided to the consumer to justify price increases.

“We want this government, when the private sector comes and tells you to brace for price increases at Christmas, to say ‘no, no, no, no, no, justify why it has to be that way’; don’t just come and put us on our guard,” he insisted. “Tell me why, Mr Retailer, why we have to move the price of this product and why you anticipate an increase…. The role of the government is to keep these things in check, not to report findings.”

Senator Walters declared that the government has failed to protect ordinary citizens from rising costs and heavy taxation, highlighting the daily struggles faced by Barbadians burdened by economic policies, which he suggested prioritised revenue over people.

He noted that the core issue facing the nation was the crippling cost of living.

“We are in a cost of living crisis,” Walters said, as he rejected the notion that this crisis could be attributed solely to global inflation, instead placing much of the blame on the government’s policies. “The government cannot be allowed to hide behind the private sector and pretend it is not their responsibility. Over the last six years, the public of Barbados has carried a significant financial burden, and we are no better off for it.”

He pointed to the significant rise in taxes implemented by the government over the past six years, which he argued have done little to improve the lives of Barbadians.

“This government has implemented over $1.5 billion in new taxes, yet our people are worse off,” Senator Walters declared. “Where is that money going? You’re not seeing it in jobs; you’re not seeing it in housing; you’re not seeing it in your pockets.”

The DLP spokesman who shadows the energy, small business development, entrepreneurship, and housing ministries also pointed to what he called the government’s failures in its handling of transportation and fuel prices, both of which have risen dramatically, placing an additional strain on the working class. He detailed how the rise in bus fares from $2 to $3.50 has made life more difficult for many Barbadians, particularly young people who rely on public transport.

“When you move from $2 to $3.50 a trip and people have to catch two buses to work, five days a week, that’s not sustainable,” Walters said. “The government is increasing bus fares, but they’re not increasing wages. And that is the reality our people are facing.”

He further criticised the administration for failing to adjust fuel prices despite significant reductions in global oil prices.

“In December 2023, oil was $77 a barrel. Now it’s $72, but we’re still paying the highest fuel prices we’ve ever seen—$4.20 per litre at the pump,” the senator said. “Where is the relief? Why hasn’t the government passed on those savings to the people?”

“When we talk about the cost of living, it’s not just about food prices. It’s the price of fuel, transportation, housing—everything is getting more expensive, and our people are being left to fend for themselves.”

Senator Walters further took the government to task for what he described as a taxation regime that is unfairly burdening the working class without providing any real benefits. He listed several new taxes that have been implemented, including the $500 million garbage and sewage levy and the health services levy which directly taxes citizens to fund a healthcare system that Walters said is crumbling.

“You cannot tax your way to a better standard of living without reinvesting those taxes into the people. But all we’ve seen is more taxes, more taxes, more taxes,” he charged.

Walters pointed out that despite these taxes, citizens have yet to see meaningful changes in their day-to-day lives: “This administration has earned more tax revenue than any other government, but our people are worse off. They have to stop hiding behind the private sector and start taking responsibility.”

Senator Walters didn’t stop at taxes. He turned his attention to the government’s much-touted minimum wage reforms, which he argued have not delivered the promised relief to workers. He said that while the government claims to have introduced a minimum wage, in reality, workers are still left vulnerable due to loopholes that allow employers to reduce working hours to suit their budgets.

“So at the end of the day, workers are still left struggling because there is no real protection in place. Do not let them fool you. Our people are working harder, for longer hours, and taking home less. That is the truth,” he claimed.

The opposition senator suggested that the government’s actions were contributing to the growing frustrations among ordinary Barbadians. He called on the administration to stop prioritising revenue generation and focus on providing meaningful solutions to the cost of living crisis that is devastating households across the country.

“This is not just about numbers; this is about people’s lives… we cannot continue to raise taxes and expect people to bear the burden without seeing any relief. It’s time for the government to act in the interest of the people, not just their own pockets,” Senator Walters said. “The people of Barbados are suffering. We are working harder, but we are worse off. It is time for this administration to take responsibility and make the changes necessary to ease the financial burden on our citizens. If they can’t do that, then they are failing in their duty to take care of us.”