Senator Quinn-Williams Disputes Government’s Claim of Budget Surplus
Opposition Senator Pearl Quinn-Williams on Wednesday challenged the government’s claim that the 2026 budget projects a surplus, arguing during the Upper House debate that the figures instead point to deficit spending masked by accounting choices.
Contributing to debate on the Appropriations Bill, Quinn-Williams said the government’s presentation of a primary and overall surplus excludes interest payments and relies heavily on borrowing, creating what she described as a misleading picture of the country’s fiscal position.
“There is no surplus,” she told the Senate, disputing projections outlined in the budget statement and asserting that once interest costs are accounted for, expenditure exceeds revenue.
Quinn-Williams cited figures from the budget documents and referenced calculations presented earlier in the Lower House, arguing that a government claiming a surplus should not simultaneously be borrowing more than EC$1.6 billion to finance spending.
She questioned why, if the country were truly in surplus, outstanding obligations such as public-sector back pay, salary upgrades and maintenance of government buildings and equipment remain unresolved.
“If you have a surplus, it means you have paid all your expenses from your revenue,” she said, adding that surplus funds should be available to meet basic obligations without additional borrowing.
The senator also challenged the credibility of surplus claims by pointing to unpaid suppliers, landlords and creditors, which she said contradict assertions of strong fiscal health.
During her presentation, Quinn-Williams echoed the opposition leader’s description of the budget as a “tax and thief” budget, while adding her own characterization of the fiscal narrative as “tricks, tales and talk.”
Her remarks prompted points of order and exchanges in the chamber, including an intervention from Government Senator Dwayne George, who accused her of misleading the public and defended the integrity of the Ministry of Finance’s technical staff.
Quinn-Williams responded that her arguments were based on figures contained in the budget presentation and Hansard records, insisting that her critique focused on the arithmetic behind the projections rather than the credibility of public officers.
The Senate President ruled that repeating figures cited in the Lower House formed part of legitimate debate, noting that disagreement over interpretation did not in itself constitute misleading statements.
Quinn-Williams said her intervention was aimed at promoting transparency and ensuring that fiscal claims made to the public withstand scrutiny.
“The figures are the figures,” she told senators, arguing that budget credibility depends on clear disclosure of borrowing, interest costs and the true balance between revenue and expenditure.
The Senate continued debate on the 2026 budget following her contribution.
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00This explains why she no longer works at FCIB. She in essence argues one does not borrow if you are making a profit. One need only look at the myriad of companies on the US stock market who not only made profits but also issued dividends, yet have borrowed. Microsoft with a total debt of 89.32 billion yet none will argue does not make a profit. It has been made clear especially to those in the back, that government as usual (Done under Bird, Cort, Lovell, now GB) is restructuring its debt portfolio in an effort to cut interest costs. Let me quote Harold Lovell from his 2011 Budget presentation: “Additionally, the ongoing
implementation of the National Economic and Social Transformation Plan, including the debt
restructuring efforts, has positively impacted our creditworthiness…” Pearl as usual shows she has no understanding of budgeting.
Pearl “FOOTS” Quinn is a joke. Likes to enthusiastically present FALSE information in the Senate and constantly have to be told to retract the lies. A pastor picknee a behave so? wow!
Said to see this young lady making herself such a pappy show. I mean being a former banker and a toastmaster has not helped her improve her oral skills and her debating skills. Just like serpent who can run his mouth on the radio, but when it comes to parliament with its rules and regulations he cannot utter a thing. This is a totally different place and setting. The speaker had to ask her to take back her words on numerous times. She repeated a false analysis from Bowen that the PM had already debunked last Friday when he was wrapping up the debate on the budget. But it shows that they don’t care. They come in the house just to promote their agenda. Lies Lies and more Lies. Well Pearl, if you haven’t seen or heard the PM’s rebuttal as yet, please go to the ABS TV Facebook page and watch the video. Bowen was complete wrong. And I really hope the Prime Minister orders Rasona and her team to come to the public and explain the Surplus to you Cunumunuse. Intellect is not something that was shared to you guys and girls in the UPP.
It’s good to read the comments from the above ABLP supporters, though negative.
To tell you the truth, as soon as I saw the headlines and the photo of a female UPP opposition member, I was expecting the normal misogynistic comments from ABLP supporters and members.
So, Tenman, Less We Forget and FOOKS, pat yourselves on the back for staying on topic 👏🏾
Mind you, it’s still early days for the other ABLP misogynists to vent their spleens against the Honourable Senator Pearl Quinn-Williams.
Watch and see…
What a woman that has no respect. Can you imagine Madame president had to get to layman’s terms and ask her fu “hush she mout, if she nah hear she a talk and she shoulden dey a talk when she a talk”. An she do it all the time. UPP not ready. A bunch a bullies they are. Y’all can come for me.