Connor says VSA faces 5% budget cut as assistance demand rises
Minister Claret Connor told Parliament VSA’s 2027 budget ceiling is Cg 103.7 million as financial assistance demand is projected to grow.
Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) Claret Connor told Parliament on Tuesday 3 November that the ministry’s 2027 expenditure ceiling is Cg 103.7 million, about Cg 5 million, or 5%, below its 2026 budget of Cg 108.7 million. Connor said much of the reduction is tied to the phasing out of projects funded through the Temporary Work Organization (TWO) under the Country Package.
Connor said VSA had initially sought about Cg 110 million for 2027. Financial assistance was proposed at Cg 12 million but received Cg 8.2 million. The minister said recipients rose from about 1,400 to 1,450 in the first three quarters of 2026, and VSA expects another 100 people could require assistance in 2027, bringing the projected total to about 1,550.
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The government contribution to SZV was set at Cg 5.5 million, compared with VSA’s proposed Cg 6.5 million, while the Mental Health Foundation allocation was set at Cg 1 million, against a proposed Cg 2.5 million. Connor said the financial assistance allocation would be reconsidered after final 2026 expenditure figures are available.
Connor identified the first phase of General Health Insurance, mental healthcare reform, and labour market and social protection reform as priorities for 2027. VSA has budgeted about Cg 5.4 million for TWO-supported reform projects, including Cg 3.7 million for healthcare reforms and Cg 1.7 million for labour market and social security reforms.
The minister also said VSA has 147 filled positions within an establishment of about 198 full-time equivalent posts. Five vacancies are funded in the 2027 budget. Capital investment is budgeted to rise from about Cg 1.1 million in 2026 to Cg 2.1 million in 2027, mainly for replacement vehicles.
File photo: Remis Velisque / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped, SXM Today mark added
