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THERE has been a decline in the projected expenditure for the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) in the new fiscal year. This information is contained in the Draft Estimates for Recurrent Expenditure which was laid in the House of Representatives on October 13, when the 2025/2026 budget was presented.

The documents show the estimated expenditure for 2026 being $494,093,600, down from $848,598,680 in 2025. This represents a decrease of $354,505,080. One of the factors which may have contributed to this decrease was the removal of the Gender and Child Affairs Division from the OPM.

The division existed here under the former PNM administration. After the April 28 general election, the division was transferred to the Social Development Ministry. Expenditure for cabinet-appointed bodies for 2026 increased from $31,000,000 to $45,000,000. Among these bodies is the National Security Council which is chaired by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.