Douglas De Couto on cell phone taxes: “… is it fair that those who earn at the top range of salary bands get the same break as those who earn the least?”
Photo: Creative Commons
Statement by Dr. Douglas De Couto, MP for Constituency 25, Warwick North East & Shadow Minister of Finance
Today [May 28] in the House of Assembly the One Bermuda Alliance supported the Government’s $6 per month cut to cell phone taxes. However, we raised several concerns and exhorted the Government to do better and come up with better ideas.
While we would all like to keep an extra $6 per month in our pockets, the reality is that some Bermudians need this break more than others. The One Bermuda Alliance continues to advocate that the Government provides more targeted support, so that those who need the most, get the most. For example, targeted tax breaks to seniors and those at the lower end of the earnings scale.
For example, is it fair that those who earn at the top range of salary bands get the same break as those who earn the least? Is it fair that large companies get the same $6 per month break for their employees’ corporate cell phones as those making minimum wage? We would have preferred to support an initiative that was more focused and gave bigger breaks to those who need them most.
The One Bermuda Alliance also recognizes the critical role of communications as a basic need for everyone – right up there with housing, energy, and food. But basic packages at Bermuda’s mobile providers can cost as much as $100 to $120 a month. That’s why tonight we proposed that the Government work with cellphone providers to provide basic packages at a reduced cost for those in need. In our view, this would be a more targeted and meaningful initiative than the Government’s proposal.
We remain hopeful that Government will take on ideas like this that can really help those in need.
