By Admin. Updated 7:17 p.m., and 7:44 p.m., Wednesday, October 1 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Dr Godwin Friday, President of the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) and Leader of the Opposition, has pledged that, if elected to government, an NDP administration will double public assistance (poor relief) within its first 60 days in office.
Dr Friday made the announcement today (1 October) at a press conference, where he outlined four key measures to be implemented within the first sixty days of an NDP government, if elected in the forthcoming general election.
He stated that the NDP government would “double poor relief from $250 to $500. Who can make ends meet on $250?”
In December 2023, the government increased public assistance (poor relief) from XCD$275 to $280 for persons under 65 years of age so that recipients can withdraw all their funds paid to their cards.
For persons over 65 and over, they are paid XCD $300 per month, officials at the Ministry of National Mobilization said. (Updated).
One News SVG understands that some categories of people, and based on their individual needs may be paid $250 per month.
In addition to doubling poor relief, Dr Friday proposed three other initiatives to be enacted within the first 60 days, which he said would immediately improve people’s lives. These include reinstating “jobs and benefits lost under the ULP government’s draconian vaccine mandate,” “slashing prices by cutting VAT on everyday goods and on residential electricity,” and “providing salary bonuses to all public servants.”
“Now, these are things that we pledge to do within the first 60 days. This is not the whole five-year term of an NDP government,” Dr Friday emphasised, adding, “these are practical measures, immediate measures that will bring relief and a greater sense of prosperity to our people.”
The next general election in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is constitutionally due by February 2026 but is widely expected before the end of 2025.
The main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), which holds six seats in Parliament, will challenge the incumbent Unity Labour Party (ULP), which has nine seats.
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