Trending/politics· Updated Oct 23, 2026

MPs Clash Over Spending During Review of Trinidad and Tobago’s 2027 Budget

Standing Finance Committee scrutiny of Trinidad and Tobago’s 2027 budget has brought clashes over police, local-government, university and fuel-subsidy spending. The total fuel-subsidy debt remains to be verified.

Photo via Guardian · from Speaker ejects Manning after heated clash

4 reports from 2 outlets · First reported Wed, Oct 21

Summary

Updated Oct 23, 2026

Opposition MPs said they were blocked from questioning a $20 million TTPS equipment allocation after the committee moved past the item.
Guardian
UTT chairman Prof Selwyn Cudjoe receives $10,000 monthly while the Government awaits a ruling on his full remuneration.
Guardian
Brian Manning was ejected during a dispute over a reduction in San Fernando City Corporation funding from about $15 million to $3 million.
Guardian
Energy Minister Roodal Moonilal said he would verify total fuel-subsidy debt and outstanding payments after questions over whether debt exceeded $1 billion.
Express

Automatically summarised from the coverage below.

Coverage

Oct 23, 2026

Has debt crossed $1 billion?

Opposition MP Stuart Young pressed Energy Minister Roodal Moonilal to confirm whether Trinidad and Tobago’s fuel subsidy debt has topped $1 billion, as the ministry’s allocation and outstanding payments came under scrutiny in the Standing Finance Committee. Moonilal said $750 million had been paid to NP and Unipet, but promised to verify the total debt and outstanding balances. Young also challenged cuts in subsidy funding, higher short-term employment spending and a $130 million revised estimate for other contracted services.

Oct 21, 2026

Speaker ejects Manning after heated clash

San Fernando East MP Brian Manning was ejected from Parliament after a heated row with Speaker Jagdeo Singh during scrutiny of the 2027 Budget estimates. Manning was trying to question why funding for the San Fernando City Corporation was cut from about $15 million to $3 million, a reduction that could affect local services and spending.

Oct 22, 2026

Minister: Cudjoe getting $10,000 monthly as UTT chair

UTT executive chairman Prof Selwyn Cudjoe is currently being paid $10,000 a month as chairman while the Government awaits a Chief Personnel Officer ruling on his full remuneration, Tertiary Education Minister Prakash Persad said in Parliament. The disclosure came amid questions over UTT’s $178 million subvention and follows union claims that Cudjoe was earning far more than some workers.

Oct 22, 2026

Opposition protests missed chance to question police spending

Opposition MPs said they were blocked from questioning the government on key TTPS development spending during Standing Finance Committee review of the 2027 budget, after chair Jagdeo Singh moved past Item 004. The disputed allocation includes $20 million for equipment, drawing added attention because of concerns about body-worn cameras for special operations under the new law.

MPs Clash Over Spending During Review of Trinidad and Tobago’s 2027 Budget

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