David Burt, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Finance, attacked the efforts of Bob Richards in the wake of this morning’s Budget statement.

In a Progressive Labour Party released this afternoon, Mr Burt said: “In his third Budget statement, the Minister of Finance has embraced ideas that he once attacked, ignored the fact that jobs are still being lost, and increased taxes on paycheques, land, gasoline and tourism.

“The minister now embraces increasing taxes during a recession, suspending public sector pensions, broadening the tax base and ending payroll tax concessions; all proposals that he has attacked in the past.

“There are tough choices that need to be made, but this Budget once again focuses on cuts and does nothing for growth. The lack of a growth strategy is laid bare by the fact the minister neglected to mention that the National Economic Report released today confirmed that 790 jobs were lost in 2014.

“We must put the needs of our people first! Next week the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party will lay out an alternative vision forward for our economy; a vision that embraces the bold ideas that will enhance the Bermuda economy and thus the lives of our people.”