Government says it recognises the financial pressure that the Global Fuel Crisis is placing on families across the Virgin Islands and a review will be done on the Protected Basket of Goods initiative.
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley and Lorna Smith, both holding responsibility for Economic Development and Consumer Affairs, met last week with supermarket representatives and government agencies to review the Protected Basket of Goods Initiative.
The Basket of Goods Initiative is part of a package of cost-of-living relief measures aimed at stabilizing and improving the affordability of essential goods for residents across the Territory and was effective for a period of three months – 1 May to 31 July 2026.
Stakeholders have agreed on immediate action.
Over the next two to three weeks, Government and participating businesses say they will review price, import and shopping data, identify the essential goods families purchase most often and recommend improvements to the protected basket.
Discussions focused on improvements to make savings easier for shoppers to identify and ensure that relief reaches those who need it most.
Government says the findings will guide a prompt decision on the continuation of the initiative and any changes needed to provide more effective relief.
It said this work is being treated with urgency, with a clear focus on protecting residents, particularly the most vulnerable, during this challenging period.