Yesterday's Budget had plenty to excite and a fair bit to confuse with some pledges leading to more questions than answers.

Finance Minister Paula Cox said Government intended to encourage and to promote the importance of personal savings.

She added: "An understanding of the value of savings promotes a greater sense of confidence and independence that you can run your own affairs.

"Thus, education about financial empowerment can be a real help in highlighting the importance of managing one's money on a daily basis, the importance of planning for the future and of how to cope when one encounters hardship."

But it was easier to see what it was not than what it was.

She said Government will not itself set up private savings accounts for individuals. Instead local financial institutions in tandem with the Bermuda Monetary Authority "can reinforce the importance and need for personal savings and Government will do its part to encourage savings".

Who it would help and how was not explained.

And Ms Cox also said Government was keen to "do more to effect greater efficiency within the civil service" with a simpler, more streamlined joined-up delivery of public services.

To some that might spark the spectre of job cuts but there was no more said on the subject during the Budget speech delivery in the House.

The manifesto and Throne Speech pledge to will offer 500 interest free down payments to first time Bermudian home owners was repeated but with no more detail on how it will work and when it will kick in.

Long awaited concessions for retailers were also announced but observers will have to wait until a bill is tabled on the subject to know more about what is proposed.