Finance Minister Paula Cox last night pledged a fair and sensitive Budget — but warned not everybody will get what they're hoping for.

"The better policies are those where no one gets all that they might wish," Ms Cox told The Royal Gazette on the eve of a Budget that's being touted as one of Bermuda's most important ever.

With the economy in disarray and Government debt having already risen to more than $675 million — yet with many sections of the community crying out for financial help — all eyes will be on Ms Cox as she presents her seventh Budget in the House of Assembly today.

Last night, the Deputy Premier told this newspaper: "Despite all the hype and the wish lists, overall there is a common sense appreciation that public goods and services have to be paid for.

"My job is to balance the very divergent competing demands. The National Budget Statement messaging has to cover not just the relevant domestic issues and policies, but also to speak to the wider international audience and regulators."

Ms Cox said her Budget would cater for safety and security, education, health care, housing, tourism and international business.

"I have met with a number of Bermuda's stakeholders, people and groups representing key sectors — tourism, business, domestic and international, retail, the taxi sector and others," she said.

"I know and live the challenges of Mr. Ms and Mrs. Everyman. However I cannot be overly generous with the country's pocketbook.

"Overall I believe I have been fair and sensitive to the challenging times that the people continue to face. I have also been realistic given the need for the public services to be affordable and sustainable to the country's pocketbook.

"Some may want more public services than they are prepared to pay for. The better policies are those where no one gets all that they might wish."

Ms Cox said in preparing the Budget — thought by many to be her final one before replacing Ewart Brown as Premier — she kept in mind the recommendations and concerns flagged by Michael Foot in his review of the Overseas Territories.

She warned recovery from the economic crisis would not happen overnight, with some sectors taking longer than others to get back on their feet.

"Consumers are expected to continue to be conservative in the short-term and employment levels will continue to lag in certain sectors," she said.

"There are some measures that Government will take both in tomorrow's National Budget Statement and by subsequently-announced steps to assist various sectors.

"There is a sense of expectancy. In the lull prior to recovery, the Government both directly and through its quangos will continue to stimulate the economy with construction projects and with intelligent infrastructure spending. However some of what we will do to assist the 'Good Ship Bermuda' to stay afloat includes revenue-raising measures.

"The Premier and my ministerial colleagues will also share some very positive initiatives pertaining to their respective Ministries."