Interest payments on the national debt have resulted in cuts in public services and Government has failed to come up with a plan to address an unsustainable debt burden, according to the Opposition One Bermuda Alliance.But the ruling party has defended its actions saying that the national debt is among the lowest in the developed world and represents investments in the people.And Shadow Finance Minister Bob Richards indicated that the OBA could not make a commitment that it would not raise the debt ceiling should it become the next Government.“This year the Government is sending at least $85 million to foreign creditors just to pay for the interest on its debt,” said Nandi Davis at a press conference yesterday morning.“Debt interest payments are now one of the largest single spending items in the Government’s budget behind Education and Healthcare.“They are the reason the Government has been cutting back important public services. They are why teachers have been laid off, why there are fewer police on the streets, why the Sunshine League was closed, why Mirrors was cut back and why the Family Centre is getting less support.”Ms Davis, the OBA’s general election candidate for St George’s West, pointed out that the debt grew by more than 700 percent since 2005.“It is now approaching $1.5 billion, which is a lot for 60,000 people,” said Ms Davis.“But it’s going to get worse. For the fifth straight year, the Government is spending more than it takes in, and it is now borrowing to pay people’s salaries and operating expenses. That’s like a householder borrowing money to pay for groceries. It’s not sustainable.”She noted that interest payments are among the biggest spending items in the budget and said that Government “appears to have lost control of its finances”.“Every year, what we owe is getting bigger, not smaller. Today, my son’s share of the Government’s debt is about $32,000. If nothing changes, by the time he is 21, his share of the debt will be tens of thousands more,” Ms Davis continued.“I don’t want my son and his peers living in a Bermuda weighed down by a debt; where the potential to support their dreams and ambitions come second to the demands of foreign creditors; where the potential for everyone to achieve social and economic equity is impaired by interest payments.”Ms Davis said that the Government took a “head in the sand” approach and had barely mentioned the debt problem in its latest Throne Speech.“The OBA plan recognises we have to grow the economy to pay down the debt, but also that we have to end wasteful government spending. It’s a plan that will get Bermuda back on its feet,” she continued.“The Government has no plan. Instead, they appear content to kick the problem down the road onto the backs of young Bermudians.”It was pointed out that the country’s private debt was $5 billion. “It presents us with additional challenges to make the investments that we need in Bermuda to grow this economy,” said Shadow Finance Minister Bob Richards.“But we have plans for that. We recognise this problem. And we have plans for that. We have plans to be able to attract foreign investment.”Asked whether he foresaw the debt ceiling being raised further, Mr Richards said: “If we keep going the way we are going there will be no end to it. And that’s why we need change.”As to whether he was making a commitment that an OBA Government would not raise the debt ceiling, Mr Richards said: “No. I’m not.”The national debt stands at $1.4 billion, and the statutory debt ceiling is $1.45 billion.“Even when adjusted for population, our debt is substantially lower than that of the United States, the United Kingdom and virtually every other country in the region or the world,” the ruling party said in a statement issued yesterday afternoon.“The investments that this debt has paid for better the lives of all Bermudians; old Bermudians, young Bermudians, and unborn Bermudians.“Consider what Bermuda might look like without these investments. We would not have a new Lamb Foggo Clinic or a vehicle testing facility in the East End. We wouldn't have a new wharf that brings cruise passengers to our shores and provides jobs for our young people.“We would not have modern schools for our students to learn in. We would not have affordable housing at places like Perimeter Lane and HarbourView Village. These investments matter to the people of Bermuda and the PLP remains proud of its record.“What Bermuda cannot afford is an OBA government who has not clearly defined any position on any issue. Bermuda cannot afford to be caught up in soundbites over substance. The Progressive Labour Party has clearly outlined our plan for recovery and growth that includes Job Corps Bermuda and the One Stop Career Centre.Government’s plans for recovery and growth included action to place “real Bermudians in real jobs” the statement continued.Mr Richards later elaborated on his statement that his party could make no commitment on the debt ceiling.He said the party could not make such a commitment because national finances could be a lot worse than the Government is letting on.“When we become the Government, we will conduct a thorough review of the situation. Only then would we make a commitment to a debt ceiling. Not before,” Mr Richards said.“What I can make a commitment to is that an OBA Government will reduce the debt and the huge burden it is placing on Bermuda.”