Deliberate Policy, Real Impact: Prime Minister Outlines Strategy Behind Poverty Decline
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has outlined that the government’s comprehensive policy framework has led to the most dramatic reduction in Jamaica’s poverty rate in over three decades.
Prime Minister Holness described the approach as ‘deliberate, people-centred, and multi-dimensional’, emphasizing that poverty cannot be addressed by income support alone.
“We focused on employment, access to education, healthcare, and inclusion. We improved the minimum wage by over 44%, introduced the social pension, and are currently reviewing PATH to better serve those most in need,” the Prime Minister said.
Dr. Holness said these interventions were not designed for short-term optics but for sustainable change.
“Every decision was rooted in the belief that Jamaicans deserve not just to survive but to thrive. Our investments in training through HEART, our wage reforms, and our focus on real, inclusive development have made a difference,” he explained.
The Prime Minister also dismissed claims that the government’s approach favours large businesses at the expense of ordinary citizens.
“Nothing could be further from the truth. The numbers speak for themselves. Poverty is down because people are earning more, accessing more, and living with more dignity,” Dr. Holness noted.