Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide this Honourable House and the public with an update on the significant progress made thus far on the efforts to substantially reform Bermuda’s tax system.

The Premier and Minister of Finance, the Hon. David Burt JP, MP, returned from Washington DC on Friday (March 31) evening, following a busy week of high-level meetings with members of the US Congress and Biden Administration Officials.

This trip marked the Premier’s first official visit to Washington DC since 2019, before the pandemic.

The visit provided an opportunity to advance the cooperative and productive partnership between the United States and Bermuda.

The Junior Minister of Finance, Senator Arianna Hodgson, is today clarifying a statement she made in the Senate yesterday (March 23, 2023).

Senator Hodgson explained, “In my brief presented to the Senate on The Government Fees Amendment Regulations 2023, in my capacity as the Junior Minister of Finance, I stated that the increases in Government fees would raise an additional $21 million in revenue. This figure was incorrect.

Yesterday (March 16), Premier David Burt and the Minister of Social Development and Seniors, the Hon. Tinee Furbert had an engaging discussion with members of Age Concern, as part of Government’s continued 2023/24 Budget outreach.

Thursday’s meeting focused on matters specific to seniors, and several topics were covered, including the cost of living, pensions, health care, environmental protection, health insurance, digital literacy and other items of interest.

Last week, Premier David Burt and the Head of the Public Service, Dr. Derrick Binns recognised the Ministry of Finance’s Renee Lathan as the recipient of the January (2023) Government of Bermuda’s Public Service Excellence Award.

As the community is aware, the PSEA is a programme recognizes Public Officers who are demonstrating admirable service delivery. Each month an individual or team is selected for their significant accomplishments in the last 60 days.

The Government recently released its 2023 - 2024 Pre-Budget Report. The Pre-Budget Report is a policy statement issued by the Government prior to the release of its budget.

It defines the priorities for the next budget in a medium-term framework covering external developments and internal strategies. It is intended to clearly state the Government’s economic and fiscal policy challenges and its objectives and intentions in the medium term.

The Report includes:

The closing date for workers to apply for the payroll tax rebate was December 15^th 2022. The payroll tax rebate was available for eligible persons making less than $96,000 per the Public Treasury (Administration and Payments) (Salary Based Benefit) Regulations 2022. The Ministry of Finance received 5,116 applications, and 3,625 persons have already been paid for a total of approximately $700,000. 

The deadline to apply for the payroll tax rebate for workers is this Thursday, December 15^th. The payroll tax rebate is available for eligible persons making less than $96,000 per the Public Treasury (Administration and Payments) (Salary Based Benefit) Regulations 2022.

“75% of Bermuda’s workforce is eligible to apply for this payroll benefit and I encourage anyone who is eligible and has not applied to do so immediately. The process is easy.” said Premier and Finance Minister, David Burt.

Mr. Speaker, the shadow of community violence is heavy over the Island today as another family mourns the loss of young life. The sound of gunshots shattered the peace of a Paget neighbourhood in this season of goodwill and in the wake of this terrible incident of violence, we must again seek to comfort a family who today have more questions than answers. The support we are providing from the Ministry of National Security will be strengthened by this House and the community keeping this family as the focus of our compassion at this incredibly difficult time.

Good afternoon Minister of Education, Members of the Media, and the people of Bermuda watching and listening to us today.

Let me begin my remarks by mentioning the incredible achievement of McKenzie-Kohl Tuckett, who spoke in the House of Commons in London on Friday. I know that all of Bermuda is immensely proud of the eloquence and substance of her presentation.