Rescue mission

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Guardian - FINANCE and Economic Affairs Minister, Christopher Sinckler yesterday announced a 19-month rescue mission for the Barbados economy that he said would see a lower fiscal deficit and improved activity. In what amounted to some very tough actions to deal with a ballooning deficit and a declining economy, the Minister used his fourth Budget to announce a shift in financing the education of Barbadians at the University of the West Indies, come September next year. They will have to pay tuition fees while Government continues to pay their economic costs. He also revealed a host of new taxes, reductions in the allocations for temporary posts and lower transfers and subsidies for the Transport Board and the National Conservation Commission.