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So, we asked the Prime Minister to confirm, and he said that he couldn't because the Ministry of Finance Technicians still haven't completed their assessments to determine if that very last resort must be taken. Here's how he put it:

Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"The financial secretary at the budget consultations with the labor unions sort of confirmed, he didn't say yes there will be, but he sort of suggested that it's inevitable that a tax increase is coming."

Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"He did say that we are looking at fiscal adjustment in the amount of 3% GDP, which I think would work out to about $100 million dollars, that I can confirm. That is undoubtedly a target that we are determined to meet, that we feel, with respect to the consolidation that's necessary, putting the economy on an even keel, putting the debt sustainability on an even keel that is something we must do. How do we achieve that adjustment? Clearly by increasing revenue and by slashing spending. How do you increase revenue? In our case we've said that we have to rely a great deal on enhanced more effective revenue collection methods. No doubt, that alone won't necessarily cut the mustard, but until we have worked out properly, and all the public officers are completely focused on that, until we have worked out thoroughly exactly what the mix must be to get us over the top, I don't think I should say anything more. Clearly all options are on the table. But even if, worst case scenario, there must be new tax measures, you have to be absolutely certain that the tax measures will be distributed in such a way that they cause the least possible pain especially to poor people."

So, the Prime Minister says that there is still no final decision on what the course of action is. His government's critics suggest that he is intentionally delaying the announcement of the new taxes to the very last minute for political reasons. Here's how he responded to that:

Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"Any government staring down the prospect of increase taxes, it's always a political hot-button, it's a football issue, it can easily be latched on to condemn a government administration, are you refraining from confirming or frame it in those terms, simply because you are concerned about the public reaction to that?"

Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"No, no because truth will out sooner or later. The budget is going to be read in the next month or so. After the budget is read, there will be fully 10 days before the debate takes place. That gives people all the time in the world to react. So it's not a matter of trying to postpone any reaction to what will happen. Such a reaction is inevitably. It is genuinely that I believe that a difficult situation must not be further complicated by talking out of turn. Even in advance of our having finalized the details. We are earnestly working on that, and I'm saying that, I'm not going to lie to people, all options are on the table, but I need to reassure the public that there can be absolutely no doubt that whatever we do, whatever pain it involves we will absolutely keep to a minimum and having in mind first and foremost the interests of our people: the middle classes, the workers, the productive sector, and the business community at large. Saying that underlines how difficult a balancing act it is."

After the budget Presentation on March 13, the Debate will take place on 23 and 24 of March. The Senate will then meet to consider the budget on March 27.