AGP Executive Report

Cost-of-Living Relief: Prime Minister Mia Mottley says the Government has delivered about $94 million in support as global pressures push up living costs. Measures include $40 million in cash credits for nearly 58,000 people, electricity-bill relief and fuel-price support. Party Reform: Mottley plans a February 2027 Barbados Labour Party constitutional congress to consider giving delegates a role in choosing the party leader and adding accountability measures for MPs and branches. Senate Changes: Attorney Khaleel Kothdiwala is set to become Barbados’ youngest senator, replacing Roshanna Trim, who will take up a UK role focused on diaspora affairs. Reparations: The Caricom Reparations Commission is preparing a 2027–2031 action plan, while its chair, Sir Hilary Beckles, is urging King Charles to support talks on reparatory justice.

Senate Changes: Prime Minister Mia Mottley plans to recommend 23-year-old attorney Khaleel Kothdiwala as Barbados’ youngest senator, replacing Roshanna Trim as she takes up diaspora-affairs duties in the UK. Kothdiwala says he is ready to serve. Party Reform: Mottley has proposed a February 2027 BLP constitutional congress to review how the party chooses its leader and strengthen accountability for MPs and branches. Cost-of-Living Relief: She says Government has delivered about $94 million in support, including cash credits for nearly 58,000 people and measures to limit electricity and fuel costs. Regional Diplomacy: Former Caribbean leaders, including Barbados’ Freundel Stuart, are urging UN members to back a resolution against the US embargo on Cuba. Meanwhile, King Charles’s Caribbean tour has renewed calls for Britain to apologise and address reparations for slavery.

Party Reform: Mia Mottley says the BLP will hold a constitutional congress in February 2027 to consider giving delegates a role in choosing its leader and creating accountability rules for branches and MPs. Cost of Living: Mottley says the Government has provided about $94 million in relief since April, including cash credits for nearly 58,000 people and support to limit higher fuel and electricity costs. Senate: She plans to recommend Khaleel Kothdiwala, a young attorney, to replace Senator Roshanna Trim, who is taking up a UK diplomatic posting; the appointment would make him Barbados’ youngest senator. Court Reform: Parliament has passed amendments to the Magistrates’ Court system to allow virtual hearings and help prevent cases from restarting when magistrates cannot complete them.

Senate Changes: Mia Mottley plans to recommend Khaleel Kothdiwala, who would be Barbados’ youngest senator, for the Upper House. Senator Roshann Trimm is also heading to the UK to work on diaspora affairs. Justice Reform: Parliament passed changes to the Magistrates’ Court aimed at enabling virtual hearings and avoiding costly, frustrating retrials when a magistrate cannot finish a case. Cost of Living and Roads: The Government says it is working to shield households from rising costs, while promising a major push on road repairs and resurfacing. Climate Finance: At a regional forum in Panama, Minister Adrian Forde renewed Barbados’ call for fairer global financing and more support for climate adaptation. Agriculture: The ministry is bringing farmers and researchers together to prepare for drought risks linked to El Niño, while an export packhouse is expected to open in the coming weeks.

Barbados in Venezuela Oil Deal: A leaked agreement reportedly gives the US discounted access to oil from Barbados-headquartered North American Blue Energy Partners, with first priority on the company’s remaining output for 50 years. Cost of Living: The Government says it is trying to shield households from rising costs while acknowledging limits on how much it can absorb. Climate Finance: Minister Adrian Forde pressed for more accessible adaptation funding, saying vulnerable countries should not carry the heaviest costs of a crisis they contributed least to. Justice Reform: Parliament passed Magistrates’ Court amendments intended to enable virtual hearings and reduce delays when magistrates cannot finish trials. Regional Diplomacy: Former Barbados Prime Minister Freundel Stuart joined seven Caribbean leaders urging support for a UN resolution against the US embargo on Cuba.

Cost of Living: The Government says it can absorb only so much of the pressure from rising energy prices and global tensions, but Prime Minister Mia Mottley says protecting households remains a priority. Roads: Senior Minister Kirk Humphrey has promised a major maintenance push, including resurfacing, pothole repairs and improved markings. Event Venues: Mottley says purpose-built facilities such as CARIFESTA House and the new amphitheatre could lower the cost of staging events. Economic Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Christopher Sinckler urged Barbados to turn its international ties into investment and business, while tackling barriers such as difficult bank-account opening processes. He also made the case for preserving ECLAC’s regional research role amid UN funding pressures and possible restructuring. Public Services: The Government is developing a national adult literacy strategy, with a public forum planned for October 28. Separately, stakeholders have reviewed draft rules to support the launch of the Barbados Medical Products Authority. Pensions and Teachers: The Barbados Union of Teachers plans to raise concerns about the scheduled increase in pensionable age, citing teacher wellness and workplace stress.

Roads and Accountability: Transport Minister Kirk Humphrey promises resurfacing, repairs and improved road markings, including work on roads prone to potholes. A Killarney MP has questioned the urgency of repairs ahead of the King’s visit. Health Regulation: Barbados is advancing draft rules for the Barbados Medical Products Authority, covering product approvals, clinical trials and safety monitoring. Economic Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Christopher Sinckler wants Barbados to turn international relationships into business opportunities and reduce obstacles for investors. The Government is also pressing to protect ECLAC’s regional research role amid UN reforms. Education and Workers: A national adult literacy strategy is in development, while the Barbados Union of Teachers plans to raise concerns about teacher stress and the scheduled increases in the pensionable age. Event Infrastructure: Prime Minister Mia Mottley says purpose-built venues, including the new amphitheatre, could lower the cost of staging events and create opportunities for organisers.

UN Reform: Foreign Minister Christopher Sinckler says Barbados is working to protect ECLAC’s research role as UN funding pressures raise the prospect of cuts or a merger. Business and Trade: Sinckler urged businesses to adapt to global shifts and said Barbados must turn diplomatic ties into commercial gains, while tackling local hurdles such as slow, unclear banking processes. Teachers’ Pensions: The Barbados Union of Teachers wants talks with ministries about raising the pensionable age to 68 by 2034, citing concerns about teacher stress and wellness. Adult Literacy: Government is developing a national strategy covering reading, writing, numeracy and digital skills, with a public forum set for October 28. Health Policy: Education Minister Chad Blackman says 42 per cent of children are overweight or obese, up from 31 per cent in 2017; ministers are promoting healthier school food and a national screening campaign. Climate Finance: Barbados is calling for fairer, more accessible financing for vulnerable countries, arguing that those least responsible for climate change should not bear the greatest costs. Governance: The Caribbean Development Bank convened audit leaders in Barbados to discuss stronger internal auditing, accountability and institutional performance.

Climate Finance: Barbados is urging global lenders to pair new development funding with institutional reform, arguing that vulnerable countries should not bear the costs of crises they did little to cause. Minister Adrian Forde pointed to the Bridgetown Initiative and the island’s debt-for-climate-resilience work. Children’s Health: Education Minister Chad Blackman says 42 per cent of Barbadian children are overweight or obese, up from 31 per cent in 2017. Government plans school nutrition awards, while Health Minister Lisa Cummins says a national disease-screening campaign will begin in schools. Party Politics: Former New National Party leader Kemar Stuart plans to rejoin the Democratic Labour Party, saying a united opposition has a better chance of challenging the governing BLP. Business Rules: New money-laundering legislation raises penalties to as much as $50,000, plus $1,000 a day for continuing breaches. Meanwhile, accountants say delays to the planned VAT-registration threshold increase—from $200,000 to $350,000—are making business planning harder.

Party Politics: Former New National Party leader Kemar Stuart says he will rejoin the Democratic Labour Party, arguing a united opposition is better placed to challenge the Barbados Labour Party. Tax and Business: Accountants say the delayed increase in the VAT registration threshold—from $200,000 to $350,000—has left businesses unable to plan; meanwhile, new money-laundering law amendments raise penalties to $50,000, with daily fines of $1,000. Justice: MP Shantal Munro-Knight is calling for faster child-maintenance hearings, citing long waits and repeated adjournments; the proposed law would allow virtual Magistrates’ Court hearings. The Attorney General has also warned of shortages in criminal law and legislative drafting. Schools and Health: Government has launched awards to promote healthier school environments as childhood overweight and obesity rise to 42 per cent; Health Minister Lisa Cummins says agencies must coordinate better so vulnerable children do not miss support. Regional Relations: Barbados joined Caribbean governments at a U.S. dialogue tied to a US$340 million regional funding package targeting energy, ports, critical minerals and digital infrastructure.

Financial Oversight: Barbados has increased penalties for breaches of money-laundering rules to as much as $50,000, plus $1,000 for each day a breach continues. Court Access: During debate on proposed virtual hearings in the Magistrates’ Court, MP Shantal Munro-Knight highlighted long delays in child maintenance cases and the strain they place on families. Household Costs: The electricity fuel adjustment rose 19.8 per cent in October, adding about $22 to the average residential bill. Consumer advocates are seeking a clearer breakdown as Government says it is continuing relief measures. Offshore Scrutiny: A ProPublica report on the US-Venezuela oil deal says investors could remain anonymous through a parent company based in Barbados, putting the island’s corporate structures in focus.

Tax Administration: Barbados officials joined counterparts from five Caribbean countries in Belize to share data-driven ways to improve tax compliance and protect public revenue. Skills and Qualifications: Government is urging 272 students to pursue vocational training, while the Barbados Accreditation Council says more work remains on a national framework to make qualifications clearer and easier to compare. Electricity Costs: Consumer advocates want a clearer breakdown of the 19.8 per cent fuel adjustment and the roughly $22 rise in the average household bill; Finance Minister Ryan Straughn says Government is continuing measures to ease the burden. Emergency Housing: Housing Minister Chris Gibbs says Government plans a dedicated supply of temporary homes for families displaced by fires and other crises. Tax Policy: The promised increase in the VAT registration threshold from $200,000 to $350,000 is not yet in force; businesses must follow the existing threshold until legislation is passed. Legal System: The Attorney General has warned of shortages in criminal law and legislative drafting, raising concerns about the capacity to deliver justice and prepare laws.

Justice System: Alisha Sargeant says her High Court case over a childhood assault has gone nowhere in 13 years, despite her mother repeatedly seeking help from the school. The family describes a long, costly ordeal that left her without justice. Public Service: Erskine Griffith was remembered at his funeral for 49 years of service, including as Agriculture Minister, Senate Leader and Barbados’ first UN representative in Geneva. Emergency Housing: Housing Minister Chris Gibbs says Cabinet has tasked his ministry with creating a formal supply of temporary homes for families displaced by fires and other crises, after recent fires exposed gaps in available accommodation. VAT: Finance Minister Ryan Straughn says the promised increase in the mandatory VAT-registration threshold, from $200,000 to $350,000, is still awaiting legislation; businesses must continue registering under the existing limit. Regional Justice: Former Jamaica attorney general A.J. Nicholson has urged CCJ judges to resolve internal disputes privately, warning that public disagreements could undermine confidence in the court.

Regional Investment: Barbados joined Caribbean governments in talks preceding a US announcement of more than US$340 million for regional connectivity, healthcare, economic growth and security. The funding is regional, with no Barbados-specific allocation announced. Justice System: Attorney General Wilfred Abrahams says shortages of legislative drafters are holding back the government’s lawmaking programme, while too few criminal defence lawyers are adding pressure on the courts. Human Trafficking: Barbados remains on the US Tier 2 Watch List for a second year. The report cited a lack of prosecutions and convictions and no victims identified since 2021, despite increased investigations and training. Parliament: Senators debated the Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, a proposed framework for regulating the sector. Climate Policy: Barbados is among the countries backing a global effort to address inequality, a push Prime Minister Mia Mottley has linked to reforming the international order.

Justice System: Attorney General Wilfred Abrahams says too few legislative drafters are slowing the Government’s agenda, while a shortage of criminal defence lawyers is adding pressure on the courts. He urged newly admitted attorneys to consider both fields. Human Trafficking: Barbados remains on the US Tier 2 Watch List. The latest report cites no prosecutions or convictions under local anti-trafficking laws and no victims identified since 2021, despite increased investigations and training. Climate Finance: Barbados’ central bank governor joined counterparts from five countries in backing a proposed US$500 million fund for economies hit by climate shocks, with plans to scale it up to US$1.6 billion. Skills and Jobs: The Government is planning a major overhaul of the apprenticeship system, while BIBA says expanding local careers in international business could help curb brain drain.

Anti-Trafficking: Barbados remains on the US Tier 2 Watch List for a second year. The report cites no prosecutions or convictions under anti-trafficking laws and no victims identified since 2021, despite increased investigations, training and awareness efforts. Justice System: The Attorney General has warned of shortages in criminal-law expertise and legislative drafting, adding to concerns about the capacity of the legal system. Skills Policy: Government plans a major overhaul of the apprenticeship system to better match training with changing workforce needs, but details have not yet been announced. Climate Diplomacy: Barbados joined the core group behind a UN resolution welcoming the International Court of Justice’s climate opinion, keeping the country involved in efforts to turn its guidance into action. Party Politics: The BLP’s annual conference is set for October 23–25, with the party promising “honest conversations.”