Finance Minister Colm Imbert insists Government has not reneged on its Budget promise to pay backpay by Christmas.

Last week, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley reportedly said that a Permanent Secretary told the Minister that backpay would not be paid until May 2024.

At a media briefing today, Mr Imbert said the Minister in question was the Education Minister, with the comment pertaining to backpay for that Ministry’s workers.

He added that the issue at hand concerned resources, with a meeting since held to address this.

Mr Imbert also clarified that the Budget backpay announcement pertained to certain public servants.

Mr Imbert says payments have already begun for members of the Defence Force, while work is continuing for the rest.