Social recovery is essential for economic recovery to begin according to Wayne Scott, Minister of Community, Culture and Sports.

Speaking in the House of Assembly, Mr Scott spoke of the Children’s Amendment Act to be debated in Parliament next week which would require courts and a co-parenting council to mediate in custody disputes between divorced parents while giving children more of a voice in the decision-making process.

He said the OBA’s planned implementation of a youth-oriented policy showed that this was a caring government which is determined to do something.

“Our social programmes are more important than our economic programmes [which are critical] but we can’t have economic recovery without social recovery.

“I am doing my best to ensure that we pay proper homage to that,” he said.

He raised the issue of domestic violence and the impact it has not only on the children of Bermuda but on society as a whole.

The Minister highlighted the Government’s move to form a committee to review domestic violence in Bermuda that first focuses on protective legislation.

“I will do everything in my remit to ensure we have a safe harbour and smoke out where those abuses are allowed to happen.

“We are all equally guilty if we sit back and allowed this to happen,” he said.

He specifically mentioned verbal abuse against women on the same day his government walked out in protest of opposition leader Marc Bean’s alleged verbal attack on Toni Daniels.

Mr Scott said: “Violence begets violence and verbal abuse has been the cause of more destruction in our societies than physical — wars are started because two people have an issue, then nations have an issue. We cannot except this type of behaviour from anyone.”

On the issue of reverse mortgages, Mr Scott asserted in the House of Assembly that while the proposed policy — which provides an option for people who want to turn substantial home equity into cash — will not work for everyone, it will certainly work for some.

“It won’t have the best interest of every family but having the option there is a benefit.”

He highlighted any such policy could be open to abuse and suggested that Government would do everything in its power to minimise that possibility.

Deputy Speaker Susan Roberts-Holshouser weighed in on the subject criticising the opposition’s description of the proposed policy as a “diabolical scheme of disinheritance” saying the Progressive Labour Party sounded like a spoiled child.

She countered that the policy would, “enable more financial security and quality of life I feel our seniors deserve”.