A tense exchange unfolded between Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo and San Fernando East MP Brian Manning during a Standing Finance Committee meeting on October 21, as the committee reviewed a $6,012,215,208 budgetary allocation for the Social Development Ministry. The focal point of the debate was the government’s promise in the 2025/2026 budget to grant public servants a ten per cent wage increase. Manning, a former finance minister in the PNM administration, questioned whether the budget included provisions for this wage hike and if negotiations would conclude before the fiscal year’s end. Tancoo dismissed the inquiry, stating it had already been addressed and urged Manning to focus on the presented figures. Manning persisted, arguing that his question remained unanswered, prompting Speaker Jagdeo Singh to intervene and reiterate that the matter had been clarified. The exchange escalated as Tancoo accused opposition MPs of seeking headlines, while Manning emphasized his commitment to holding the government accountable. The meeting also touched on proposed increases to the National Insurance System (NIS) contribution rate, with Tancoo outlining a phased approach to raise the rate by three per cent in 2026 and another three per cent in 2027, extending the retirement age for full NIS pensions from 60 to 65 over the next decade. Diego Martin North/East MP Colm Imbert later contested whether the ministry’s allocations accounted for these NIS adjustments. The committee is set to continue its deliberations from October 22-25, with the House expected to pass the budget by October 25 and the Senate commencing its debate on October 27. Leader of Government Business Barry Padarath expressed confidence that Parliament would conclude the budget debate before October 31, ensuring the President has sufficient time to assent to the budget.