Much support for vulnerable, families and youth, says Teixeira

Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira

Budget 2026 is designed to shield the most vulnerable, strengthen families, support workers and expand opportunities for young people.
This is according to Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, who was speaking during the recently concluded budget debates.
Teixeira told the House that the government has pursued a steady and deliberate path of national development that continues to deliver tangible benefits to citizens. She said the government’s fiscal agenda demonstrates a long-term commitment to social protection, economic opportunity and sustainable growth, while acknowledging that challenges remain.
The minister highlighted major investments in education and social support, noting that today’s children are benefitting from policies that were not available to previous generations. She pointed to free education, scholarships, textbooks, internet access, smart learning initiatives and direct cash grants as evidence of the government’s focus on human development.
“I am proud that our children do not have to endure the hardships that many of us experienced,” the minister told the National Assembly. “These are real investments in their future.”
Responding to opposition claims that Budget 2026 offers little relief to ordinary Guyanese, Teixeira rejected the narrative outright. “We are not saying everything is perfect,” she said. “What we are saying is that, step by step, this country is progressing.”
She reflected on Guyana’s past, recalling periods marked by widespread poverty, insecurity and social instability, and contrasted those years with the current phase of national transformation driven by public investment and expanded social programmes.
According to Teixeira, Guyana is now experiencing a period of unprecedented development, with major spending in education, healthcare, housing, and initiatives targeting youth and women. She described the country’s recent progress as unmatched in its post-independence history, noting that as Guyana prepares to mark 60 years of independence this year, citizens can take pride in how far the nation has come.
Teixeira further criticised opposition arguments dismissing the impact of government measures aimed at easing household costs and improving living standards. She said assertions that Budget 2026 contains “nothing for the people” are based on selective readings of poverty and growth data and fail to capture the full scope of policies promoting inclusive growth and enhancing quality of life nationwide.