Holness increases cabinet size

The size of the Andrew Holness-led cabinet has increased to 18 members, following the addition of Audrey Marks as Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation, and Digital Transformation.

Marks, the former ambassador to Washington, was appointed to the Senate last Friday.

Another senator, Delano Seiveright, has been added to the executive, having been named Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism.

The addition of an additional minister moves the annual salary bill for the Holness-led Cabinet to $421.9 million. A minister of government earns nearly $22.9 million yearly while the annual salary for a junior minister is roughly $18.3 million.

Prime Minister Holness expressed confidence in the capabilities of senators Marks and Seiveright, stating that their appointments are strategic steps towards achieving the administration's goals of modernising government operations and further strengthening the tourism industry