The 2017-18 Budget was approved by the Senate on Friday evening after more than 20 hours of debate on the estimates of expenditure for 25 government ministries.

During the motion to adjourn, several senators spoke about the importance of the process of passing the Budget, but also how it could be improved to make it more accessible.

“This book, this debate, these heads, they’re more than just numbers, percentages and investments,” Senator Jeff Baron said.

“This book represents our people. It represents our teachers, lawyers, firefighters.

“It represents the children we teach in schools, the inmates we try to heal in corrections and it represents our charities that are given lifelines through government grants.

“Most importantly this book represents how all of us here in government and the civil service aim to serve Bermuda. The many mission statements are authentic, so is this Government’s belief in our people.

“As the acting Government Senate Leader I offer my sincere gratitude to every single civil servant represented in this book and I look forward to working hard with many of them this year to achieve our missions and objectives.

“Each of our roles are important to this island’s success, our community’s safety and our people’s prosperity”.

Earlier Progressive Labour Party Senator Renee Ming had suggested that all senators be handed the various briefs on each ministry before they were debated in the Upper House.

Meanwhile, One Bermuda Alliance Senator Andrew Simons said that more could be done to make the Budget briefs accessible to the public.

“This Budget process can feel removed from the rest of the island,” he said. “That’s a shame.

“We are reading briefs that have already been read in another place. There is real potential within the legislature to change the rules and the way we go through this process.

“Other legislatures use budget sub-committees, and that might be a way to remove the duplication.”

PLP Senator Tinee Furbert took the opportunity of the motion to adjourn to speak of the current bed shortage at the hospital and urged residents to start planning and making preparations for old age.

“We need to be looking out for our ageing families and make sure they are not left in the hospital for long-term care if they have the ability to remain in their own home or another home,” she said.

“We have not done very well in planning for the future and I would encourage the listening public to stay vigilant with their planning for ageing, it’s very important we stay on top of that.”