The Chief Minister and Minister for Treasury, Dr Rebecca Cairns-Wicks MBE, today presented the St Helena Government’s Budget for 2026/27 to Legislative Council, setting out a three-year programme to stabilise the island’s finances, strengthen essential services and lay the foundations for sustainable economic growth.

Describing the Budget as a foundational budget, the Chief Minister explained that the Government’s first priority is to strengthen the systems that people rely on every day, creating the capacity to invest more in future years.

In opening the debate, the Chief Minister said:

“This is not simply an exercise in approving expenditure for the year ahead. It is a statement of direction for our island—a demonstration of how this Government intends to turn its published Vision and Strategy into practical action.”

The Budget has been prepared against a backdrop of global economic uncertainty, rising living costs and the long-term challenges facing St Helena, including population decline, workforce shortages and increasing demand for public services. It reflects the Government’s commitment to protecting essential services while making responsible investments that improve resilience, strengthen public finances and support future growth.

Among the measures announced in the Budget are:

  • Plans to introduce Child Benefit for children aged 0–5;
  • continued investment in health, social care and education;
  • support to limit increases in electricity prices;
  • concessionary public transport fares for people aged over 70;
  • investment in small businesses, agriculture and financial services to support economic growth;
  • continued investment in infrastructure, telecommunications and renewable energy.

The Budget also reflects the recently agreed three-year Financial Aid Settlement with the UK Government, providing greater certainty for planning and enabling Government to sequence reforms over the next three years.

In concluding her speech, the Chief Minister said:

“This is not a budget that promises everything today. It is a budget that aspires to make more possible tomorrow.”

A copy of the Budget Speech and Budget Book can be found on the St Helena Government website at https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/st-helena/government/treasury/.

The debate on the Appropriation Bill has now been adjourned and will resume on Monday 20 July, when Members of Legislative Council will debate the Budget in detail before considering its approval.

Allocations for recurrent expenditure proposed in the Appropriation Bill 2026 and the Budget Book are as follows:

  • Central Support Service —£12.3 million
  • Attorney General’s Chambers — £0.15 million
  • Safety, Security and Home Affairs — £3.4 million
  • Judicial Services — £0.15 million
  • Treasury — £7.6 million
  • Police Operations — £0.8 million
  • Economic Development — £6.5 million
  • Education, Skills and Employment — £4.1 million
  • Health and Social Care — £11.9 million
  • Environment, Natural Resources and Planning — £2.0 million

The total amount proposed to be appropriated as recurrent expenditure in 2026/27 is £49.0 million.  In addition, £6.3 million for recurrent expenditure for pensions and benefits will be provided via standing appropriations.

A further £0.19 million for capital expenditure will be provided across the following portfolios:

  • Central Support Service
  • Safety, Security and Home Affairs
  • Economic Development
  • Health and Social Care 

#StHelena #Budget26 #AltogetherWealthier

www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/