The Gaston Browne Administration continues to show contemptuous disregard for the sky-high cost of living which is suffocating our people.

It is shocking that this administration seemingly believes Antiguans and Barbudans purchase sugary drinks because they are deliberately seeking less healthy options, and not out of mere survival.

The Prime Minister clearly fails to recognize that it is the high cost of healthier drinks, foods, fruits and vegetables, that drives the buying habits of the neediest among us.

In fact, Gaston Browne slew of new taxes and tax increases has degraded the spending power of poor and middle-income families, and made healthier alternatives more expensive.

It is therefore the ABLP Administration that has forced our people to spend on cheaper, less healthy food items.

To now raise taxes on food items that the Gaston Browne Administration’s economic hardship has forced people to buy is an unconscionable and a merciless attack on the poor and vulnerable.

To encourage healthier choices, while protecting the pockets of our people, I recommend the following alternative actions:

1. Reduce the overall tax burden on our people by rolling back the recent tax increases, and reducing the duties on essential items. This will increase disposable income that could be used to purchase healthier food items.

2. Make further tax reductions on healthier food and drink alternatives, to incentivize their purchase.

By leaving our people with more spending power, while reducing the prices of healthier alternatives, buying behaviour will naturally result in healthier buying habits, contributing to public health and a reduction in non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Richard S. Lewis MP