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Tobago Chief Secretary Farley Augustine has expressed disappointment over the island's allocation in the 2027 national budget, revealing that the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) will receive a smaller share of national expenditure despite an increase in overall government spending. Speaking at a press conference at the Red House on Monday, October 12, following Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo's budget presentation, Augustine said Tobago's direct allocation had fallen from 5 per cent of national expenditure in the previous fiscal year to 4.35 per cent. Augustine described the reduction as approximately TT$412 million. He also cited rounded allocations of TT$2.9 billion in the previous fiscal year and TT$2.7 billion for the current year, although those figures do not fully explain the larger reduction he referenced. He said Tobago had celebrated receiving 5 per cent of the national budget for the first time in the previous fiscal year, believing it marked a turning point in the island's financial relationship with central government. Instead, Augustine said the island had returned to funding arrangements resembling those experienced before 2025. He maintained that Tobago should never receive less than 5 per cent of national expenditure, pointing out that the island represents approximately 5.1 per cent of Trinidad and Tobago's population. Although disappointed, Augustine acknowledged that the allocation was not the worst Tobago had received historically. He welcomed the Government's proposed increases in social assistance for vulnerable citizens, particularly elderly persons, but insisted that the THA would continue lobbying for additional financial support. Augustine said the reduced allocation strengthened his argument for constitutional reform to establish a more predictable financial arrangement for Tobago.
Tobago Chief Secretary Farley Augustine has expressed disappointment over the island’s allocation in the 2027 national budget, revealing that the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) will receive a smaller share of national expenditure despite an increase in overall government spending. Speaking at a press conference at the Red House on Monday, October 12, following Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo’s budget presentation, Augustine said Tobago’s direct allocation had fallen from 5 per cent of national expenditure in the previous fiscal year to 4.35 per cent. Augustine described the reduction as approximately TT$412 million. He also cited rounded allocations of TT$2.9 billion in the previous fiscal year and TT$2.7 billion for the current year, although those figures do not fully explain the larger reduction he referenced. He said Tobago had celebrated receiving 5 per cent of the national budget for the first time in the previous fiscal year, believing it marked a turning point in the island’s financial relationship with central government. Instead, Augustine said the island had returned to funding arrangements resembling those experienced before 2025. He maintained that Tobago should never receive less than 5 per cent of national expenditure, pointing out that the island represents approximately 5.1 per cent of Trinidad and Tobago’s population. Although disappointed, Augustine acknowledged that the allocation was not the worst Tobago had received historically. He welcomed the Government’s proposed increases in social assistance for vulnerable citizens, particularly elderly persons, but insisted that the THA would continue lobbying for additional financial support. Augustine said the reduced allocation strengthened his argument for constitutional reform to establish a more predictable financial arrangement for Tobago.
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