Social Development overwhelmed by non-belongers — Skelton Cline
The Social Development Department is under mounting pressure from growing numbers of non-belongers seeking assistance, commentator Claude Skelton Cline has warned.
Appearing on his Honestly Speaking radio programme, Skelton Cline said staff in the department have raised concerns that applications for support from non-belongers are increasing and straining resources.
“The social development personnel are saying that they are becoming more and more overwhelmed with applications for assistance from persons who are not belongers,” Skelton Cline stated.
He questioned how government could justify creating welfare support systems for people who do not have Virgin Islands status. “How do you create the social welfare funding for non-belongers, when a requirement to visit or reside under the Immigration Act is to be able to financially sustain yourself?” he asked.
Rising tension over population management
Skelton Cline argued that the issue is tied to years of delay in addressing immigration and labour matters. “Because we have kicked so many cans down the road because of our fear to address these matters up front and stop the haemorrhaging, all of this stuff now is coming at us at once, which runs the risk of creating a combustion if we don’t have people at the helm who can properly manage and navigate us through this,” he explained.
Population management has long been a divisive issue in the Virgin Islands. Census figures show a community of about 33,000 people, but with more than 120 different nationalities living in the territory. Debates have intensified in recent years over who should have access to government assistance and political rights.
Broader debate on belonging
During the recent Constitutional Review debate in the House of Assembly, legislators clashed over who qualifies as a Virgin Islander and who should participate in future independence-related decisions. Skelton Cline drew parallels with the United Kingdom’s Brexit referendum, noting that even long-term EU residents were not allowed to vote.
While he acknowledged that many non-belongers had lived in the Virgin Islands for decades, he insisted that Virgin Islanders by ancestry must be able to determine the political future of the territory.
“This is not to alienate anyone,” he explained. “We are married to each other, we make love to each other, we got children by each other, we build nation together. But we have borders and we have immigration”.
Call for leadership
Skelton Cline urged the government to take the issue seriously and avoid delays.
“Increasing assistance with the non-belonger application requests on an uptick – what now should be the case given the requirements in the Immigration Act? I want you to think about it,” he stated.
He warned that without clear leadership, the strain on the Social Development Department and the wider welfare system could deepen existing social tensions.
Copyright 2025 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
bVINews Please tune into another show.
This man has a problem. He needs to seek help. When he was getting the government money without working for it it wasn’t a problem. He is just a pathetic human being.
THE HOLY CLAUDIE IS ON A CAMPAIGN TO VENT HIS ANGER OUT ON U ALL / HE GOT THE BIBLE IN NONE HAND AND THE DEVIL IN THE OTHER HAND , SO HE IS USING ALL KINDS OF RACIAL TATICKS TO STIR UP MORE XENOPHOBIA AMONGST THOSE WHO ARE EASY TO CONVINCE , SO HE’S JUST SHOWING HIS TRUE COLORS *DECEPTION * WE ALREADY SEEN HOW HE RIPPED OFF THE GOVERNMENT AND THEY CANNOT TOUCH HIM ?( HE’S TOO SLICK / AND IF HE DOING THAT TO HIS OWN PEOPLE , JUDGE TO OUTSIDERS ■ TRUMP AIN’T GOT NUTTIN ON THIS ” JOLLY GOOD FELLO “
But no he is right. Down in the hospital emergency room at night most of them use it as a clinic to get free or cheap medical services holding up persons with real emergency issues.
This Government from its inception with Fahie has messed up this country. And depending on the issue the leader of oppositon and its members are quiet.
the N.D.P government in power for 16 yrs did nothing for this country but enriched themselves.
If the non-belongers are legally in the BVI and working legally, then presumably they are paying taxes into the healthcare system. If that’s the case, what’s the rationale for denying them benefits?
Correct. These people have been invited here. They arepaid minimum wage to live in an environment where the cost of living is crazy high. They work and the money deducted for social security and nhi is never submitted. They work primarily in the hoapitality sector and when things are slow or businesses close for the summer, what are they to do? Truly, what are they to do?
Going to Social Services is better than stealing.
Get it together people. Stop the foolishness.
Like or hate him, the man is absolutely correct on this one.
Locals catch their a** to get assistance.
For example, it was a once elected female from the 9th who finally got us the assistance we were asking for forever we desperately needed.
The gentleman is right on this one. We are not usually looked out for by those departments and some electeds the way we ought to and should be.
we should be helping our own first, and if it got anything left then maybe help them
This man is a disruptor and an instigator, often creating division among people. He has every right to question government spending, but he does so without presenting facts and data, using his questions as a tactic to further divide an already fractured community. This community consists of 33,000 people from 120 different nationalities.
What percentage of the population are BVIlanders compared to others from different nationalities? Additionally, what percentage of the “Others” are receiving government welfare? What portion of them are employed in full-time work, and what type of welfare are they receiving? These questions are crucial for providing context to the discussion.
Unfortunately, data and facts seem unimportant to those whose primary goal is to sow division. Interestingly, this man claims to be a man of God. Personally, I would rather go to the store, buy some crystals, and engage in that form of worship.
If you are a Non Belonger and unable to sustain yourself,you should return home voluntarily or by force.Well that is what decent thinking folks would do. Unfortunately these VI are the Seotic tank of the Caribbean and by choice. The logical explanation must be the benefit of criminal activity to
those responsibility it is to make certain that this is not an issue in this tiny island group.
He is Tortola Donald!!!
His great great great grandmother was a slave trading super woman and challenged the British off the west Coast of Africa to stop her..yes she had her own navy.I think the Skeltons have some reparations to pay.How ironic eh?
I believe very soon BVI will get what they been asking for many years. Many Caribbean expatriates can now work in Barbados,St.Vincent,Belize and Grenada.Those in the Marine and Construction field, Police and Security. Without work permits.
Those who cannot able to pay bills in BVI go back to your country,don’t suffer the Social Development for assisting. The Caribbean has become full of opportunities.