Premier Burt says new Cabinet will need time to prepare their projected budgets
We’re going to have to wait a little while to find out what the reelected PLP Government plans do with the public purse.
Premier and Finance Minister David Burt advised today that the Budget will be held on May 2nd.
The Throne Speech, or the Convening of the Legislature will be in just over two weeks, on March 14th.
This year, the general election took place around the time that the budget would normally have occurred.
Earlier today, Premier Burt told Gary Foster Skelton that the new Cabinet will need time to prepare their projected budgets in order to meet the promises made in the PLP’s election platform (the full interview with the Premier will be available shortly).
GOVERNMENT PRESS RELEASE:
The Cabinet Office advised today that the Legislature will convene on March 14, 2025 following its dissolution on January 8, 2025 for the purposes of holding the recent General Election.
His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Andrew Murdoch will read the Speech from the Throne setting out the Government’s legislative and policy priorities.
Premier David Burt said, “The Government is looking forward to getting back to work in the House of Assembly and the Senate, determined to continue building the fairer Bermuda we promised.”
A Government spokesperson also confirmed that Budget Day is set for May 2, 2025. It should be noted that Section 96 of The Bermuda Constitution Order 1968 specifically contemplates a dissolution of the Legislature “less than three months before the commencement of any financial year” and sets out that any new budget estimates can be laid before the House of Assembly “as soon as practicable after the commencement of that year”.
Accordingly, and in keeping with Section 97 of the Constitution, the House of Assembly will be invited to approve a resolution to extend the necessary fiscal provisions to ensure the continued operation of the Government and all public services until the 2025/26 Budget is approved.
Led by the Ministry of Finance, technical officers have been preparing budgets as usual to ensure that now with the election complete, this important phase of the legislative calendar can proceed.
Premier Burt said, “It is important that we take the necessary time to align our proposed expenditure with the need to deliver on our key Platform initiatives. Ministers will have the opportunity to work closely with technical officers in ensuring we craft a budget that addresses those key issues identified by the people as we met them on the doorstep.”
The Cabinet Office noted that the Throne Speech will be read as part of the ceremony on the Cabinet Office Lawn following the meetings of the House of Assembly and Senate and the conduct of their business which will include the swearing-in of Members and the election of the respective leadership in both Houses
