Increased poverty levels in Barbados

There are more people living below the poverty line in Barbados  now than 12 years ago.

That’s according to data put out by the Government.

A report from Minister of Social Care Steve Blackett indicates that 8.7 per cent of respondents in a sample survey conducted in 1998 lived below the poverty line and that the number had risen to 19.3 per cent in 2010,

In response opposition Leader Owen Arthur  reportedly said poverty has skyrocketed and called on Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler to “loose the noose” and reverse the taxation policies “strangling” Barbadians