Premier: $25M Investment On Social Programmes
Premier David Burt announced “an investment package of $25 million that reflects our commitment to invest in tackling the social challenges facing Bermuda.”
Speaking in the House of Assembly today [Sept 20], Premier and Minister of Finance David Burt said, “This package will provide significant additional resources to tackle mental health throughout all segments of our community,” the Premier said. “We will provide additional funds to help enhance public safety by increasing funding for the police while expanding interventions to address anti-social behaviour.
“In addition, we are investing in extending trauma counselling services to break the intergenerational cycle of violence – and will work with community partners to expand access so that Bermudians can receive the counselling services required.
“This Government has introduced programmes to combat domestic violence, and this package will boost funding to these programmes to ensure that the required resources are brought to bear to reduce the instances of domestic violence while providing additional support to victims of domestic violence.
“We will provide more resources to our educators and social workers to help them better serve our youth and families. Due to budget constraints, these services have not been funded to the level that meets the need. Today, that will change, and additional funds will be used to clear backlogs in assessments for at-risk students to ensure they have access to the required early intervention.
“Additionally, we will boost funding for speech & occupational therapists to ensure there is adequate support for students who may require additional services.
“We are also making additional investments in infrastructure, including funding for private road works, community lighting, upgrades to youth centres, refurbishments of community playgrounds, and doubling the funding to clear vegetation from roadsides, railway trails, and parks.
“This package commences funding for the opening of a senior daycare facility to reduce the burden on adults who care for senior parents.
“This package also supports:
- An expansion of after-school programmes;
- Additional investment to support the unsheltered population and reduce homelessness;
- Additional funding for apprenticeships & training programmes;
- Additional rehabilitation programmes for inmates to support successful reintegration into the community;
- Additional staffing for regional health clinics;
- A capital grant to the Bermuda College;
- Increased funding for consumer protection to support the work of the Cost of Living Commission to tackle price-gouging; and
- Additional funding to support seniors in our community who need additional support to live with dignity.
The Minister’s full statement follows below:
Mr. Speaker, earlier this morning, I tabled Supplementary Estimate No.1 for Financial Year 2024/25 in this Honourable House. At this time, I wish to provide the context of the Mid-Year review and provide an overview of the significant investment in social services that this Government will make to ensure that more Bermudians benefit from Bermuda’s economic progress.
Mr. Speaker, over the past seven years, this Government has worked tirelessly to build a fairer and more equitable Bermuda, and that work has yielded progress:
- This Government has reduced the tax burden on workers to the lowest level in history after the previous Government raised taxes on workers to the highest level in history.
- This Government has invested record amounts in affordable housing, with 75 units delivered and more properties coming online each month.
- This Government has expanded childcare support up to $900 a month, per child, for families earning up to $130 thousand a year.
- This Government has implemented a minimum wage for the first time in Bermuda’s history.
- Understanding the concerns of hardworking Bermudians, this Government took action and froze the standard premium rate for the third consecutive year, saving all policyholders in Bermuda $540.
- And Mr. Speaker, this Government has consistently increased our seniors’ pensions to keep in line with the rate of inflation, after the previous Government told our seniors that money doesn’t grow on trees.
Mr. Speaker, we made these choices that benefit working Bermudians despite inheriting a bad airport deal and a failed Morgan’s Point Project, which cost taxpayers over $250 million.
After leading Bermuda through a once-in-a-century pandemic, this Government implemented an economic recovery plan, followed by an Economic Development Strategy. Due to the successful execution of those sound plans, this Government is set to deliver the first balanced budget in 21 years.
The success of our plan is evident, as we have seen unemployment in Bermuda fall to the lowest level since 1980, a record number of Bermudians working in international business, and increased tax revenue coming into the public purse. This increased revenue has come after this Government cut payroll taxes for 86% of workers and every local business in Bermuda.
However, Mr. Speaker, today is about more than the progress we have made. It is about what choices a government will make when confronted with the benefits of Bermuda’s economic success.
In July, when I addressed the people of Bermuda, I stated: “Though we are proud of the work done thus far, your Government recognises our work is not done and that more is needed. There are people in our community who are hurting and who do not feel that enough has been done for them. They need to see and feel the benefits of our efforts now, not given a promise that they will feel it in the future. The recent tragedies further highlighted our community’s need for additional resources to tackle anti-social behaviour and confront a mental health crisis.”
In that same address, I promised that this Government would devote our focus to implementing additional investments that would make a meaningful difference in the lives of Bermudians – and pledged that we would present our plan when this Honourable House reconvened in September.
Mr. Speaker, this Government upholds the promises that we make to the people of Bermuda. That is why I am proud to present to this Honourable House and this country today an investment package of $25 million that reflects our commitment to invest in tackling the social challenges facing Bermuda.
Mr. Speaker, this package will provide significant additional resources to tackle mental health throughout all segments of our community. We must confront the growing challenge of mental health, and this Government will ensure that mental health resources are more accessible, and support is available for those who need it, helping to reduce stigma and provide healing in our community. Tied to mental health, we will also expand substance abuse and intervention programmes.
Mr. Speaker, we will provide additional funds to help enhance public safety by increasing funding for the police while expanding interventions to address anti-social behaviour. Our communities deserve to feel safe, and we will ensure that the resources are in place to prevent crime, protect our neighbourhoods, and build trust between law enforcement and the public. In addition, we are investing in extending trauma counselling services to break the intergenerational cycle of violence – and will work with community partners to expand access so that Bermudians can receive the counselling services required.
This Government has introduced programmes to combat domestic violence, and this package will boost funding to these programmes to ensure that the required resources are brought to bear to reduce the instances of domestic violence while providing additional support to victims of domestic violence.
Mr. Speaker, we will provide more resources to our educators and social workers to help them better serve our youth and families. Due to budget constraints, these services have not been funded to the level that meets the need. Today, that will change, and additional funds will be used to clear backlogs in assessments for at-risk students to ensure they have access to the required early intervention.
Additionally, we will boost funding for speech & occupational therapists to ensure there is adequate support for students who may require additional services.Mr. Speaker, we are also making additional investments in infrastructure, including funding for private road works, community lighting, upgrades to youth centres, refurbishments of community playgrounds, and doubling the funding to clear vegetation from roadsides, railway trails, and parks.
Mr. Speaker, the largest single infrastructure investment in this package recognises the reality of the “sandwich generation” and the challenges faced by parents who care for both their children and their ageing parents. This package commences funding for the opening of a senior daycare facility to reduce the burden on adults who care for senior parents.
Additionally, Mr. Speaker, as part of our ongoing efforts to modernise and improve public services, the Government is making significant investments in digital transformation. These initiatives include the development of a one-stop online portal where Bermudians can easily access and complete government services, from permit applications to payments.
Mr. Speaker, this package also supports:
- An expansion of after-school programmes;
- Additional investment to support the unsheltered population and reduce homelessness;
- Additional funding for apprenticeships & training programmes;
- Additional rehabilitation programmes for inmates to support successful reintegration into the community;
- Additional staffing for regional health clinics;
- A capital grant to the Bermuda College;
- Increased funding for consumer protection to support the work of the Cost of Living Commission to tackle price-gouging; and
- Additional funding to support seniors in our community who need additional support to live with dignity.
While this is the most significant additional investment in social services in 20 years, this package is keeping with this Government’s ongoing commitment to deliver on its promise to Rebuild Bermuda with Bermudians at Heart.
Mr. Speaker, this Government is not just focused on fiscal success, as I said in my address to Bermuda in July: “A balanced budget means little if the people we serve struggle to pay their bills and put food on the table. Great credit ratings do not help Bermudians as they are confronted with high prices at our grocery stores. And a surplus on financial reports is nowhere near as important as Bermudians knowing that their government hears them and will do whatever it can to support them.”
This Government will not delay the benefits of economic success and tell Bermudians to wait for future fiscal years, which may have the benefit of increased revenue from the forthcoming corporate income tax, to take action. Bermudians need support now, and this Progressive Labour Party Government will not wait until next fiscal year to act.
Mr. Speaker, our goal is simple: to ensure that Bermuda’s economic progress is felt by all Bermudians. We will not stop working until we achieve this vision. Whether by enhancing public services, reducing prices, improving public safety, or improving mental health services, we are committed to taking action now.
And Mr. Speaker, it is vital that I inform this House that despite this significant social investment package, this Government is still on track to deliver a balanced budget!
Mr. Speaker, let’s recap: $25 million of additional investment in social services and investments to benefit the community, combined with a 60% reduction in energy taxes to cushion the impact of rising energy prices while still delivering a balanced budget. That is what sound economic policy, delivered by a Progressive Labour Party Government, that prioritises the workers of this country can deliver.
Mr. Speaker, Bermuda’s economic progress does not belong to this Government; it belongs to the hardworking people of this island. This Government looks forward to continuing its work to build a Bermuda where shared progress and collective prosperity are the foundation of our future.
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to give this Honourable House and the country a preview of what is contained in this Government’s social investment package. Ministers of the Government will share further details of the programmes, some of which have already been implemented, next week when these measures are debated by Honourable Members.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
So, Burt is spending tax money that hasn’t been collected and won’t be collected until at least 2026.
This money needs to pay down debt, or we will forever be hamstrung. Burt and the PLP have been frittering away money boasting of a non-existent balanced budget. Ever since that statement, the PLP have increased spending on unbudgeted items.
“and doubling the funding to clear vegetation from roadsides, railway trails, and parks.”
Wait , this is W&E maintenace that should be a matter of course. Wondering if someone from W&E can comment on what has been going on, why do we need to double it, are we going to clear the roads twice as many times?
“This money needs to pay down debt, or we will forever be hamstrung”
Sadly, I fear we are already forever hamstrung.
hmmm
Where did you get that idea that money is going to road side gardening by say a bunch of guys out in the mid day sun ,when it aparently goes to buying all maner of vehicles some have cranes on them.
“guys out in the mid day sun”
What? How can that be? Only mad dogs and Englishmen go “out in the mid day sun”!
“which may have the benefit of increased revenue from the forthcoming corporate income tax”
Which also means we “may not” benefit from increased revenue.
That leads to the question, where is the $25 million coming from?
Still going on about the airport deal? Is it still needing the revenue guarantee payments needed because the PLP shut it down? It was needed and it is showcased as a world class facility. Let’s start a new list that includes the really bad hospital deal, so bad no one has any idea of the deal and it’s failure in design to fulfill its purpose; the ballooning cost of the Bermudiana Beach complex, guaranteed to cost the taxpayers many tens of millions of dollars as no one will buy them; the cost of the vast debts created by the PLP; the unknown details and cost to the taxpayer of the Southampton Hotel, likely to be greater than Morgan’s Point but at least Morgan’s Point is an asset (unless the Government tries to develop it).
the Airport, can’t believe that people can’t see the truth.
1 We (Bermuda) had no money (PLP had spent it all and Borrowed and spent that, remember OBA had to borrow to make payroll as PLP had emptied the piggybank).
2:the airport provided construction jobs at a time when the industry was struggling for work.
3: If PLP had built it is would have cost $400 million, that would have to be borrowed at 6%. Annual cost Interest $24 million going out the door. the Airport cost us $0 under the OBA
4: During COVID ( the time when the minimum revenue guarantee was triggered… AND THE PLP TRIGGERED IT) the airport would have been losing money (Hence the Revenue guarantee being triggered) That loss on the PLP model would have had to be covered by us the taxpayer, except we’d be on the hook for much more than the min revenue guarantee.
Add the $24M forever interest cost plus the losses (because the costs to run an airport when little or no revenue still exist) and we’d be far worse off than the little minimum revenue guarantee payment.
The airport deal was an amazing deal, stop buying into the nonsense spouted by the PLP propaganda machine. The Hospital, the Arbitration Centre (never built) on the other hand were not amazing deals.
“…remember OBA had to borrow to make payroll as PLP had emptied the piggybank .”
And then the sheep accused the OBA of doubling he debt .. LOL
Maybe the OBA should have done what Barbados was forced to do and dump half of the civil service. Then we’d have seen some howling and the ‘doubling the debt’ would have quickly been forgotten about.
@Hmmmmm. As you know, facts and truth do not conform to the PLP platform.
What is the expected dollar Return on Investment (ROI) for this $25 million “investment?”
(sarcasm since the Government has no clue)
LOL … ‘ROI’ not relevant or necessary . All that matters is the votes !
Naturally. Watch for a snap election to pop up with the PLP having advanced knowledge and a head start before OBA has a clue. If you see Mr. Famous out on the streets of Devonshire on a listening tour, the election is coming.
Note: Chris does put in the footwork and works hard to get the votes.
A priority to deal with the needs of the people and it is urgent but not for the privileged above. Yes, the debt has to be paid and when that starts the critics will be the first to cry we are ignoring the needs of the people. The objectors above have their needs met and should be more sympathetic and stop ignoring those who need help.
PLP haver ignored them for 20+ years, now an election is coming, they throw out some non specific language and claim it is helping people they have ignored.
Don’t buy into their propaganda.
How about doing something about the extreme length of time it takes a Bermudian
to simply get their passport renewed
Oh, come on. 9 or 10 months to renew a Bermuda passport is not that long.
Oh, but the way, if you are entitled to a Bermuda passport you are also entitled to a British passport and you can renew a British passport in 1 month or less.
Exactly on the day of the next election the general public will either cast their vote of , be it confidence or no confidence that no confidence stroke of the pen will change life as we know it.
The devastation effects of a no confidence vote will destroy our people destroy our economy and destroy all that we all have work to creat a paradise in Bermuda for the whole world to see respect and admire.
Sir John Swan said
“This country of ours is standing on , may I add a precarious edge of a cliff”.
We have not seen the good life recently with covid and inflation.
In the past good fortune help us get by BUT !
Today that will be hard sort after, as the word around us is in a mess or what ever you may want to call it .
Throwing money at a situations is what other countries do simply because they have many contributors unfortunately does not have lasting results.
Our People are not un reasonable as I am confident that we are willing to listen to the promise of a better future just got to make it happen, and do we know it.
Crash and burn is not a reasonable option .
Glory will no happen over night as there is no morning surprises and no quick fixes here , we have to live with vision towards the future.
Make lmon aid from lemons !
The Government who who takes care of all its people will have , I hope , will have the support of all our people, may i ask, is that too much to ask for unity .
A LAYMANS GUIDE TO COMPLAINING :-
tells me that I have to change my approach to the variouse situations which I am confronted with on a day to day basis by avoiding out burst of sarcasm, abuse, accusations ,recriminations, blaming ,smart remarks, an emotional further out bursts.
With the thought that I will antagonize the very person who is the best position to help.
Negative letters can make me look foolish an feel foolish later ,when I think about it.
Staying on topic when ever possible with the asumption that the reader will be willing to resolve the problem.
Also staying on topics such as abortion ,high taxes, and flag burning ,all in the same correspondence almost certainly ensures a less -than -satisfactory response.
May be I should place emphasis on how the problem can be resolved and less on the details of the mix up.
By the way I just got bit by thee mosquotoes or the same mosquito three times .