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Mr Andre Braithwaite awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire in New Year’s Honours 2026
Mr Andre Braithwaite, Music Director at Elmore Stoutt High School and H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in His Majesty the King’s New Year 2026 Overseas and International Honours list. Mr Braithwaite has received the award ‘For services to Young People and the Music Industry in the Virgin Islands’, recognising Mr Braithwaite’s lifelong dedication to music education, cultural preservation, and the development of young musicians across the Territory
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Statement By Honourable Sharie B. de Castro Minister for Education, Youth Affairs & Sports on Recent Developments at HLSCC
On June 3, 2025, Minister Sharie B. de Castro delivered a statement on recent developments at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC), highlighting progress in enrollment trends, programme expansion, and institutional effectiveness. Key updates included a rise in part-time and male student enrolment, growth in technical and marine studies, continued success of the Dual-Enrolment and CAPE programmes, and the start of preparations for HLSCC’s 2028 accreditation renewal. With $900,000 in additional government support, the College also implemented a new salary structure following an Ernst & Young compensation review, increasing faculty starting salaries by 35%. Additionally, HLSCC is exploring four-year degree-granting status, beginning with a bachelor’s in education. These efforts affirm HLSCC’s commitment to providing high-quality, accessible education and align with national development goals as the institution celebrates its 35th anniversary.
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Statement By The Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley Minister For Health And Social Development Update On The Derelict Vehicle Programme
At the Fifth Sitting of the House of Assembly on June 3, 2025, Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, provided an update on the Government’s efforts to manage derelict vehicles across the Virgin Islands. He reported that a total of 642 abandoned vehicles were collected from the Havers site—exceeding the initial target of 500—and are scheduled for export by June 19. While the current site will soon be cleared, a new long-term storage location is being sought in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment. In the interim, collection is suspended, but removal notices and fines will continue for hazardous vehicles. To fund ongoing efforts, the Derelict Vehicle Disposal Fee will be reinstated on September 1, 2025, based on vehicle weight, with a public information campaign planned. Additionally, a revised policy is being developed to modernize the outdated 2000 legislation, aiming for better inter-agency collaboration, fee collection at ports of entry, and a more sustainable, technology-driven approach to derelict vehicle management.
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115 Naturalised as British Overseas Territories Citizens
A total of 115 individuals became British Overseas Territories Citizens following naturalisation ceremonies held on June 16 and 17 at Government House. The new citizens were welcomed by Governor Daniel Pruce, Acting Premier Honourable Julian Fraser, and Registrar General Mrs. Tashi O’Flaherty-Maduro, who emphasized the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship, including upholding the rule of law, contributing to society, and preserving the community’s culture and values. Governor Pruce highlighted the enrichment brought by cultural diversity, while the Acting Premier expressed joy at welcoming those who have contributed to the Virgin Islands. Naturalisation under the British Nationality Act, 1981, formally grants citizenship to eligible individuals, and the list of new citizens was publicly acknowledged.
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Statement: Ongoing Reforms to the Public Assistance Programme
Madam Speaker, I rise to provide this Honourable House with an update on the status of the Public Assistance Programme and the Ministry of Health and Social Development’s ongoing work to modernise social assistance in The Virgin Islands, as we continue to strengthen support for individuals and families who need it most.
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Premier's Press Statement At 7 November 2025 Press Conference
Press Statement by Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, Premier and Minister of Finance At Press Conference on 07 November 2025 1. Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) I will be leading a delegation to London from 24 to 28 November to participate in the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC), a political meeting of OT Leaders, the Minister for Overseas Territories, the Right Honourable Stephen Doughty and other UK Ministers, and other respective delegations. The week will consist of a bilateral meeting with Minister Doughty, a meeting of the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA), of which I serve as President, the JMC itself and other meetings on matters of interest to the Virgin Islands.
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The VI Climate Change Trust Fund Garners Support at International Climate Change Conference in Brazil ahead of 2026 Launch
The Virgin Islands hosted a series of side events that showcase the novel Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund (VICCTF) and regional innovative financing solutions at the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) in Belém, Brazil.
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Students Engage in Youth Mock Sitting of the House of Assembly During United Kingdom Speaker’s Visit
Students from secondary and tertiary institutions across the Territory took part in a Youth Mock Sitting of the House of Assembly on Thursday, 19th February, engaging in a structured parliamentary debate on issues central to The Virgin Islands’ future.
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The National Wreath Laying Ceremony in Honour of H. Lavity Stoutt is Observed
Today, we honour the late and great H. Lavity Stoutt - a son of Long Bay, a servant of the people, a visionary leader, and a man whose love for these Virgin Islands was as steady and enduring as the tides that shaped his childhood.
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Statement by Premier, Honourable Dr. Natalio D Wheatley, on the Completion and Submission of the Government of the Virgin Islands Self-Assessment Report on the Implementation of the Recommendations of the 2022 British Virgin Islands Commission of Inquiry
Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley announced the completion and submission of the Virgin Islands' Self-Assessment Report on implementing the 2022 Commission of Inquiry (COI) recommendations. This milestone reflects significant governance reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and institutional structures. Dr. Wheatley credited public officers, Cabinet, and the COI Implementation Unit for their dedicated efforts and emphasized that reforms go beyond COI requirements, aligning with nation-building goals. The UK will decide by 30 June 2025 whether to lift the Order in Council that threatens partial suspension of the Constitution.