Proposals for a re-structured program of assistance were this week presented to the St. Kitts & Nevis Cabinet for approval.

However, Cabinet colleague, Minister Dr. Timothy Harris, advised Ms. Liburd that it was important that persons accessing the program be able to do so without injury to, or loss, of their personal dignity.

Minister Liburd indicated that her Ministry has used the past few months to undertake a comprehensive review of the government’s social assistance program, with a view to making it better managed, more equitable and more responsive to those who should benefit from it.

The government has re-affirmed its commitment to improve its menu of social assistance at a time that is described as a critical juncture in the economic development of St. Kitts & Nevis.

St. Kitts & Nevis is reported to currently have an unsustainable National Debt of over 3 billion dollars, job losses, increased food prices and higher utility charges, in addition to additional taxes being faced by citizens.