Senator Jonathan Joseph Criticizes Rising Fees and Questions Use of Increased Revenue
Opposition Senator Jonathan Joseph, addressing supporters at a United Progressive Party (UPP) rally in Paynters, strongly criticized the Gaston Browne administration for burdening citizens with increased fees for public services while claiming record-breaking revenue collection.
Joseph questioned why the government, despite its claims of significant financial success, has not eased the financial pressures on citizens. “If revenue collection is at a record high, why are the poor and vulnerable struggling even more? Why can’t they get any relief?” he asked the crowd.
Joseph outlined several sharp increases in fees for government services, describing them as excessive and punitive to ordinary citizens. Among the examples he provided were:
- Letters of Administration or Grants of Probate: Increased to $1,000, previously free of charge.
- Police Records: Fees rose from $10 to $25.
- Police Accident Reports: Now $200, up from $50.
- Police Reports for Lost Passports: Increased from $50 to $200.
- Voter ID Police Reports: Jumped from $50 to $200.
- Intellectual Property Office Name Searches: Doubled from $25 to $50.
- Company Registration Fees: Increased from $200 to $500.
- Annual Returns for Companies: Raised from $200 to $400.
- Unofficial Copies from Land Registry: Increased from $35 to $60.
- Applications for Lost Land Certificates: Increased from $60 to $80.
- Applications for Prescriptive Titles: Jumped from $200 to $500.
- Corrections to Birth Certificates: Rose from $69 to $250.
Joseph highlighted these increases as evidence of the government’s reliance on taxing its citizens heavily to generate revenue. He argued that such measures disproportionately affect those least able to bear the burden.
While acknowledging the government’s claims of record-breaking revenue, Joseph questioned how this wealth was being utilized. “If revenue collection is truly at an all-time high, why is there no visible improvement in the lives of ordinary people? Why is there no relief for the poor?” he asked.
He further alleged that much of the increased revenue stems from these fee hikes, rather than economic growth or sound financial policies. “This administration boasts of its financial success, but the reality is that it is coming out of the pockets of ordinary citizens,” he said.
Joseph also criticized what he described as a lack of transparency in the use of public funds. He questioned why citizens, despite paying significantly more for services, are not seeing benefits that justify these increases. “Where is the money going? Who is benefitting from this record revenue collection?” he asked.
The senator urged voters to consider the impact of these rising fees and the government’s handling of public funds when casting their ballots. “It’s time to hold this administration accountable for taking more from the people without giving anything back,” he concluded.
The rally drew support from attendees who shared concerns about the increased financial burdens placed on citizens and the perceived lack of accountability in government spending.
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this clown needs to EXIT POLITICS!!!! He get bang arf 2x in a row. He has NO SUBSTANCE! He has overestimated his importance to society. This fella instructed the nation to VOTE LABOUR!!!!
Even though I understand your concerns, things like this happen all over,even in my own country Jamaica 🇯🇲…
If the government do raise certain fees,or do certain things to keep the Economy afloat,we all would suffer, honestly speaking…
We want nice things, but we don’t want to pay for it. For donkeys years, these charges were stagnant. We complain too much! I keep saying, we go to the US and gladly pay their taxes, but don’t want to pay them here. Stop it man! I hope that (PIC) Personal Income Tax, and IMF don’t EVER come back to bite us in the ass again. LEST WE FREAKING FORGET! Bunch a hypocrites!
The first question I have for the writer of this article is, was Johnathan addressing a crowd or a few bystanders?
The second question is when the former administration introduced the ABST starting at 15%, did they do so to burden the poor man in the country? Despite the fact that he was not a part of that team, I urge him to consider that many of the citizens who work for the government are expecting wage increases, higher pensions, more demands on medical benefits with unavoidable medical challenges.
Misfortunes of fire to the properties of locals who expect assistance from government. Air travel for urgent medical care, school meals just introduced breakfast added to the lunch menu. School uniforms and supplies for all public schools.
Nurses and teachers, police and firemen all require improvement in salary.
Our fees for services as he mentioned have been the lowest in the Caribbean for a long time. It’s time for them to be increased. It might help if citizens become more responsible in securing their respective documents so as not to have the misfortune of incurring those fees.
How is that relevant to the by-election, though? Is it that if the UPP were to take office in the distant future, those fees mentioned would be significantly reduced and the personal income tax returned?
Don’t make promises in opposition that you cannot fulfill when you become the government.
@JCFJW…You are sooooo correct! Antiguans COMPLAIN about the smallest things. The dont even realize that they have such a wonderful life here. I just came back from Trinidad…and had a stint in Jamaica. Nice places, but no way compared to Antigua. Santo Domingo was also nice, but, too fast and noisy.
Antigua Garots realy live up to their name and feel entitled to FREEBZ. They just do NOT want to pay for anything. Period!
So just leave them alone and let them continue to complain while we outsiders reap all the niceness.
@complaining tarots- It’s really sad!
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I thought UPP and its insane commenting squad said this was an ABLP controlled site.
Why am I seeing so many UPP articles?
Stupid UPP coolaid drinkers!
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Oh shut all are you A$$. The problem seems to be you can read but not have any comprehension, are you stupid JCFCW, COMPLAINING all are you. INCREASE TAX YES IT HAPPEN ALL OVER THE WORLD BLA BLA BLA!! HIS QUESTION WAS WHERE THE MONEY GONE? YOU COLLECTING BUT WE:
1.still have bad roads
2. No water for months at a time
3. Still cant pay backpay
4. Pension and gratuite money cant pay
5. Some schools without text books especially mathematics
6. Health care gone to the dogs some communities dont have a clinic
7. Shit system not in place and shit running in water ways
8. Rats and bats in schools
9. Mold on walls in Government office
10. Food price sky high
11. From 2 uniform to 1
12. Fruits and water removed from school meals
13. 5% more tax because i want to watch Netflix.
Fools who benefitting from these Increased taxes? I beg read and understand.
you and Pearl “FOOTS” Quinn can move are u libba to St. Kitts…..dunno how long you will survive there tho….. Dem crime rate skyhigh