Minister Lightbourne Addresses Chamber
Minister of Home Affairs Alexa Lightbourne addressed members of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce’s Economics Committee earlier this week, focusing on “the Ministry’s strategy to address Bermuda’s cost of living.”
A Government spokesperson said, “Earlier this week, at the request of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce, Minister of Home Affairs Alexa Lightbourne addressed members of the organisation’s Economics Committee in a virtual meeting that focused on the Ministry’s strategy to address Bermuda’s cost of living.
“This was Minister Lightbourne’s first formal meeting with the Chamber since she assumed her new role. And the engagement was both timely and productive, taking place against the backdrop of ongoing global economic volatility and geopolitical uncertainty. The session formed part of the Minister’s commitment to deepening collaboration with Bermuda’s business stakeholders and partners.”
Minister Lightbourne said, “The rising cost of living is a shared concern across all sectors of our society and economy. I am committed to an inclusive and data-informed approach that brings government and industry together to find sustainable solutions. I appreciated the Chamber’s invitation and the insights offered by its Economics Committee.
“Our Ministry’s cost of living strategy is about more than short-term relief. It’s about long-term structural fairness, ensuring that Bermudians can afford essentials like food, energy, and housing, while supporting businesses to remain competitive and resilient. Whether through tax reform, energy regulation, or pricing transparency, we are working to close the gap. I look forward to continuing this work in partnership with all stakeholders.”
The Government spokesperson said, “The Minister provided a detailed overview of the Ministry’s priorities, including plans to enhance affordability across critical areas such as energy, food, and market fairness. The Chamber, as a business-minded organisation advocating for its diverse membership, engaged in an exchange of ideas and committed to continuing meaningful dialogue and data-sharing to support evidence-based policymaking.
“The Chamber of Commerce expressed appreciation for the Minister’s willingness to engage in meaningful discussions.
Chamber President Marico Thomas said, “We appreciated the opportunity to engage with Minister Lightbourne and gain insight into the Ministry’s plans to address the high cost of living—an issue that impacts both businesses and families across Bermuda. A core part of the Chamber’s mission is to advocate for a healthy, sustainable environment where business can thrive, and central to that is the success and wellbeing of employees.
“We also welcome the opportunity to support a data-driven approach by highlighting the realities of the current operating landscape—an area where our Economics Committee has invested considerable effort in measuring and documenting key trends. For our members, the cost of doing business and the cost of living remain pressing concerns, consistently echoed in our ongoing stakeholder discussions.
“The Chamber believes meaningful progress will come through sustained dialogue, high-quality data, and collaborative problem-solving that delivers practical outcomes for all stakeholders, while being mindful of unintended consequences and the uncertainties ahead. We look forward to building on this engagement with the Ministry of Home Affairs as they pursue this important mandate.”
The Government spokesperson said, “As a reminder, last week Minister Lightbourne launched the Government’s public survey aimed at gathering insights from residents on their experiences with the cost of living. Members of the public are encouraged to visit costofliving.gov.bm to participate in this national survey. The deadline for the survey is the end of April. “
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Ms. A. Lightbourne.
AFORDABLE HOUSING
I have been involved in all facets of realestate for over 40 years.
Afordable housing is often used as promices made but never kept by polatition givin a false sence of security with out their know how can never be kept .
We were not born yeaterday
Let me bring this ilusion out in the open, the problens facing the potential home owner to day are numoursce most ly to do with taxation and ansilerary costs .
There are over 10,000 +/- homes here all subjest to taxation ie : import duty and land tax, also including the fact that Bermuda has proced self out of the in a inflationary market to the average home owner in virtually every avenue.
One of the major stumbling blocks is the high cost of the land cause buy shortage of available space.
THe people tha came to the B H C exausted the land supply 20 year ago as hundreds of two apartments homes were completed on the home owners land we produced with key in the door buildings. the PLP csam make no such claim on a done deal .
VACANT AN DERILICY
You may ask why a family would let their homes get into a sad state of affairs ? i will give you one of many answers Land Tax , people back then did no make big income and we all know why.
Vacant an derelist buildings were considered by BHC .it was found that those building had seen their better & wrost days and not suitable fo modern day living.
The need then an d now was and is for two apartments for the sake of income
The land had the higher value, the wrecking ball was the better answer , but not when causes public out cry.
A land development area north of the city we had a free raig on all vacamy a derelict even wir lost title
many burnt along with the repaid mortgage
CONTRACTORS
Some contractors snaped those properties and restored them for resail having man many change an sold , ask why !why ? just to keep their good men ans sub ~contractors in a job
BUILDABLE LAND
What remain a impracticle at reasonable unusuable land,
Good land drtied up 60 years ago Bermuda is now over built it self as the population deman out grew the supply many as you are well aware, They have quit Bermuda ,there you go low voter turn out, that hids that one under the rug .
May i ask you if Bermudiana beach could be added to afordable housing list of projects , part inflation slamed the door on that project a formal investigation needs to tke place on that project the critics are still having their say.
COST TO MAINTAIN A BUILDING.
whe is new constryction unafordable to day import duty land tak and an up co,in revised price of msterial cenent is no 19 shilling a bag any more .
i can build a house with my eyes shut tight but would no tough one to day
WHAT IS LEFT
Putty and paint
FUTURE COSTRUCION
Wages an construction are our of phase also national income is out of phase
ASK WHY ??????
Cost of material
cost of livng
incease in wages
taxation
cost of plans
land limitations
land cost if you can be it
insurance
other fees legal
income
other incomer
intrest rates
rent
bank foinders fee,
bank interest rates
amrtized mortgage payment
large family
over building
copy cat the jines or better
non participation of friends an family
Has Bermuda had all it can take yu can bet on that !
How is it that the chamber of commerse let Bermuda’s economy drop down this far ?
Sadly, Pac Man, the Chamber of Commerce does not control our economy. Politicians do.