Government is closer to civil service reforms, Finance Minister Bob Richards has declared — updating the House of Assembly on the making of the Public Bodies Reform Act.

The legislation, aimed at saving Government cash and boosting efficiency, will go before MPs before the end of the Budget session, Mr Richards said.

Unions and other stakeholders will get to see a draft of the Act next month before it gets tabled in the House.

The Minister said any reforms would have to go through both Parliament and the Senate as Reform Orders before they could be approved — and only after a mandatory consultative period.

Under the Act, the relevant Minister will be empowered to “abolish, merge, modify or transfer” Departments and quangos, along with Government funds, boards and committees.

Saying he recognised concerns, Mr Richards said reforms would be “responsible and fair to both the workers of the Government, and Bermuda taxpayers”.