he new budget tabled in the House of Representatives yesterday by Minister of Finance and the Public Service Audley Shaw shows a 20 per cent increase in government spending in 2017/18.

The estimates show a 20 per cent increase in government expenditure, most notably a 38 per cent increase in total debt service, and a 8.5 per cent increase in non-debt expenditure.

Despite a 1.6 per cent drop in expenditure on interest rates, amortisation rose from $84.4 billion last year to $172.5 billion — a whopping 104 per cent increase over 2016/17 which represents the biggest boost in spending.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business/increased-debt-payments-bloat-2017-18-budget-expenditures_89125