2025 Year in Review: Hew’s report card on government

Opposition Leader Joey Hew ended the year with concerns over what he said was rushed immigration legislation that would cause problems in the future.

The Progressive People’s Movement leader said in Parliament in December that he wants to support the National Coalition for Caymanians’ immigration legislation, but that there had not been enough time for scrutiny.

Hew said that the government had published a White Paper for consultation in January, but added 17 amendments just a day before the debate.

He added that government’s majority meant the legislation, which introduced tougher rules on work permits and increased fees, was sure to pass.

“What I see across this bill is a clear pattern where power is expanded without sufficient restraint, where rights are reshaped without proper consultation … [and] legal clarity is sacrificed for administrative convenience and wealth is elevated above contribution,” said Hew.

Hew also warned that larger and international operators, such as hotels, legal and accountancy firms, could afford a more expensive work permit system.

Cost of living

Hew echoed his criticism of the Coalition budget, when he said there was not enough help for small and medium-sized Caymanian businesses and ordinary Caymanians.

He said he had already had calls from Cayman businesses worried about increased permit costs.

“Our concerns are that we have not heard any details on how we’re going to lower the cost of living for the people.”

Hew said in the run-up to November’s budget that his People’s Progressive Movement was worried that government was too focused on revenue at the expense of lowering the cost of living and cutting public spending.

He added that plans for increased stamp duty on high value properties could also cause problems.

“This is a revenue measure, not one that will reduce the cost of living. It’s a revenue measure that will increase the cost to Caymanians.”

More tax cuts needed

Finance Minister Rolston Anglin announced in last month’s Strategic Policy Statement that government planned to raise an extra $209.5 million through increased revenues over the next three years.

Hew highlighted that the PPM had, in the past, reduced fuel taxes on utility companies by “more than half” and waived taxes during the high demand summer months to help cut costs to consumers.

“While government is profiting from the duty on fuel, it’s the people who are paying for that,” Hew said, adding that he understood the coalition administration was reluctant to cut fuel taxes because it might reduce the desire to move towards renewable energy.

On 11 Nov. Hew also criticised the coalition government over its failure to outline plans to deal with the landfill site and shore up Seven Mile Beach.

Hew highlighted in his reply to the budget that there was no word of funding to tackle either problem.

He told MPs: “For too long environmental management has been treated as an afterthought rather than a national priority.

“Yet, it is central to our health, our economy and our very identity.”

Fuel duty should be cut

Hew also said that more needed to be done to ease the high cost-of-living and to help Caymanians struggling to make ends meet.

“While this budget speaks of prudence, it offers little relief. There is no reduction in fuel duty or import fees on essentials.

“Government revenue grows, but so does the pressure on Caymanian families.”

He added, “The PPM has proposed a series of cost-of-living measures that would bring some immediate relief; a reduction in import duties on essential goods, a suspension on the recent vehicle registration fee increases and a temporary 12-month cut to fuel import duty.”