The 2018/19 Budget passed Monday evening in the House of Assembly with the majority of Members of Parliament voting for a number of fiscal provisions, including increasing VAT to 12 per cent.

Senate debate now takes place on the Budget, which takes effect, fiscal year beginning July 1.

House of Assembly results for the VAT increase were:
24 MPs voted yes; 7 MPs voted no; and there were 7 MPs absent.

Also passed in the House of Assembly on Monday night was the Appropriation (Capital Development) Bill 2018. Thirty-one Members of Parliament voted yes and seven were absent.