Those who did turn up to the second meeting of the Falkland Islands Select Committee on Constitutional Review on May 25 were greeted by a numbered list of 10 topics projected onto a large screen. The topics were listed in a proposed order for consideration that was produced by what was called “a small group”.
It briefly appeared the Falkland Islands Budget process was going to be delayed this year when MLA Leona Roberts supported by MLA Mark Pollard asked for “elements” of the 2023 Budget to be taken back to Budget Select Committee for further public consultation and engagement.
A spirited discussion surrounding food prices was prompted by a question from MLA Teslyn Barkman in Legislative Assembly last Wednesday, 31st May. MLA Teslyn Barkman asked MLA Gavin Short about the UK’s government’s decision to investigate food pricing. “Can the Honorable Gavin Short please say whether we here in the Falklands have any mechanisms or agency that could be used to investigate the grocery retail market?”
Following the sitting of the Executive Council on Wednesday 10 May, a paper was approved to update the Government’s Reserves Policy to hold 1.5 times adjusted departmental operating expenditure in unrestricted reserves.
Community and stability are at the heart of the Falkland Islands Government Budget for 2023/24. The Budget recognises these two themes are essential with the global cost of living crisis and in the global recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.