KINGSTON, Jamaica — The People’s National Party (PNP) is promising a fresh start to Jamaicans drowning in tax and other debt, under its Clean Slate programme, if it is elected to office after the September 3 general election.

Specifics of the initiative are outlined in the party’s Manifesto Lite, a supplementary document to its Jamaica Love Manifesto that was launched on Monday.

“We will forgive all interest and penalties owed to the government on property taxes, traffic tickets, GCT arrears, student loans, and water bills. You will get breathing room to restart with dignity,” the document states.

“For small businesses, we will reserve 15 per cent of government contracts for you, give a three-year tax holiday if you formalise, and provide access to $2 billion in funding through creative and youth innovation funds,” said the PNP as it promises a fresh start for many.

The Opposition party notes that, “Too many Jamaicans feel buried under bills, penalties and arrears. Instead of a chance to move forward, you are trapped in a cycle where the harder you work, the deeper you sink. The PNP will break that cycle and give you a true second chance through our Clean Slate programme.”

Under the programme, all outstanding interest and penalties owed to the government will be cleared. “No more years of piling charges that make repayment impossible.”

It also offers breathing space on repayments where a moratorium will pause the repayment of principal so families and businesses can recover before paying again.

The PNP says the coverage is comprehensive as the relief applies to property taxes, GCT arrears, traffic tickets, student loans from government entities, water bills, and other government-related debt.

— Lynford Simpson