ST. KITTS-Government denies an increase in per diem to ministers.

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – The St. Kitts and Nevis government has denied increasing the per diem paid to government ministers, with Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew describing the allegations as “misinformation” and “political mischief”.

He said that the per diem rates have remained unchanged since 2008 and that “the per diem that I get is the same per diem that has been in place since 2008. It has not even been adjusted for inflation and increasing costs.

“Again, seeking to spread misinformation to gain some sort of silly political advantage,” Prime Minister Drew said, calling on the public to “refrain from lying, to refrain from giving people misinformation for some political advantage.

“My office deals with the issue of per diem, and I wanted to bring it here and raise it at the level of this Honourable House.”

A government statement said that the “Travel Per Diem Policy for Government Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and other public officers” remains unchanged since its establishment in 2008.

According to the statement from the Ministry of Finance, the clarification addresses persistent false claims circulating in the public domain. It states that the “ 2008 policy continues to govern all official travel expenditures”.

According to the document, Ministers of Government receive a fixed allowance of EC$100 (One EC dollar = 0.37 cents) per day within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and US$100 per day outside of the OECS region.

It said Permanent Secretaries and Ambassadors receive EC$350 per day for CARICOM travel and EC$425 per day for non-CARICOM travel. In comparison, other civil servants receive EC$300 per day (CARICOM) and EC$350 per day (non-CARICOM).

The policy further stipulates reduced rates for travel exceeding 14 days and prohibits per diems for fully sponsored trips.

“The Government notes with concern repeated allegations—including the categorically false claim that ministers receive US$1,000 daily—which misrepresent public expenditure. Such misinformation erodes trust and distorts factual discourse,” the statement said, adding that the public can “utilize the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act, 2024, which guarantees public access to records and independent oversight by the Information Commissioner”.