Mid-year Gov’t budget results are above expectations, says Premier Burt, allowing a boost in hospital salaries, and funding towards police and affordable housing
An extra $21.8 million of spending towards hospital salaries, affordable housing, mental health support, additional police officers and more…
Premier and Finance Minister David Burt pledged these monies when he tabled a supplementary budget estimate this morning in the House of Assembly. The Premier cites that they are able to make these investments do to better fiscal results than projected, and Government’s careful managing of the public purse.
Half of the monies, $11 million, goes towards an increase in Hospital Board salaries.
“When we have the fiscal space to support Bermuda”, the Premier said, “we use it to improve lives, strengthen services and build for the future.”
Bermuda Broadcasting subsequently pressed for more detail on what has enabled the $21.8 million investment. However, Premier Burt would not elaborate at this time, and said he is happy to speak on it next week when he provides the Mid-Year Fiscal Update, “so everyone knows where the Government of Bermuda’s finances are currently – but yes, they are better than expected.”
In the mid-year update, including this $21.8M supplementary spend, Premier Burt said we can look forward to more money in education, community programmes, and “into entertainment and tourism and culture as we run up to the opening of Fairmont Southampton.”
“It’s a wide package,” the Premier said, “…the government is listening the government hears the feedback…”
“One of the things that the Attorney General asked for was additional prison psychologists to assist them in rehabilitation, and we were able to fund those particular items.”
The Premier also said there will be an upgrade of facilities for young people in care.
“We are only able to do this because we have successfully managed this economy, while making sure [we’re] delivering enhanced tax revenue before – and I like to make this point clear – before a single dime of Corporate Income Tax was collected.”
When asked if unfilled but budgeted jobs in Government contributed to the extra monies used in the $21.8M investment, the Premier said that is not where it’s coming from.
Premier Burt also advised that the Fiscal Responsibility Report will be released on the 18th of December.
(WATCH our interview above; Premier’s statement and Supplementary Estimates below…)
