News

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members,

Yesterday, June 30^th, our mass vaccination programme ended. A campaign that saw over 75% of the total population fully immunized, and over 85% of the eligible population either vaccinated or fully immunized, since our vaccination programme began January 11, 2021.

Bermuda residents have received approxiamately 135,000 vaccinations.

This is indeed great news for Bermuda. Our vaccination programme went tremendously well.

The Minister of National Security, the Hon. Michael Weeks, JP, MP, stated today: “My deepest sympathies at this time are with the family of the man who lost his life in Flatts this morning.

“They are in our thoughts and prayers during this time of tragedy. I am also thinking of the other male who was injured during the same incident and pray for a speedy recovery.

“This morning’s news was disturbing to hear. The fact that another person has lost their life through such violent and unnatural circumstances has left me very disheartened today.

Mr Speaker, I rise this morning to provide an update on the Government’s financial performance for fiscal year 2021/22, which highlights continued signs of a strengthening economy, despite the considerable challenges we continue to face as a country. As highlighted in previous statements, the revised estimate produced following the onset of COVID-19 anticipated a deficit of $ 245.5M for the fiscal years 2020/2021.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to table the Bill entitled the Banks and Deposit Companies Amendment Act 2022 (the “Amendment Act”). The primary purpose of the Amendment Act is to provide the Bermuda Monetary Authority (the “Authority”) with an express power to issue codes of conduct in relation to the manner in which an institution conducts deposit-taking business. In addition, the Amendments will allow for the regulation of banking fees, similar to provisions that exist in other major countries.

Mr. Speaker, in this Government’s 2017 Election Platform this Government pledged to put our seniors first with initiatives such as annual cost of living increases for social insurance pensions at the rate of inflation and I am pleased to announce today that it is a commitment that this Government will continue to uphold.

Premier David Burt today remembered the late Mr. Randolph Hayward Esq. who passed away on Sunday, June 26^th  aged 98. “Mr. Hayward lived a long and incredible life. He was a proud veteran of the 1^st Battalion, Caribbean Regiment, Bermuda Contingent and saw war service in Italy and North Africa. I recall visiting with him and enjoying the wisdom and wise counsel he shared. Mr. Hayward and St. Paul AME Church were inextricably linked, and he remained a committed and faithful member until the end of his life.