St. Kitts and Nevis is implementing another round of income support for residents who became redundant in March 2020 and remain unemployed because of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris announced the $15 million, 2021 Income Support Programme on July 08. Under the programme qualified applicants will receive “a monthly stipend of $1,000” which will be paid for the next 3 months.
Other measures announced include a 3-month deferral on residential electricity bills, a 6-month stipend to assist households with differently abled children, increased support for victims of domestic abuse, and waiving commercial rent for 6 months for small businesses that lease space through the Ministry of Tourism and Transport. Additionally, the VAT rate will be reduced to 5% for 3 months on commercial rent for small businesses and a reduction of the travel tax for 6 months to boost visitor arrivals. (AN)