According to a new poll conducted by Research.bm, the economy is now considered one of the top three issues facing Bermuda for the first time. Crime remains the public's number one concern with economy/unemployment in second and housing and education rounding out the top three issues. Only 17 per cent of people say they have confidence in the island's economy, with 48 per cent saying they don't and 35 per cent is neutral. Premier Ewart Brown's performance approval rating has also fallen four percentage points from 22 per cent to 18 per cent. Meanwhile, Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Paula Cox has seen an increase in popularity, with 75 per cent of people now having a favourable impression, up from 71 per cent three months ago. The UBP's approval rating since last December's election is at just four per cent.

. . . but it will prosper says BIBA

Bermuda International Business Association (BIBA) president Cheryl Packward has reassured doubters that Bermuda's economy remains in "terrific shape". Responding to a new poll showing confidence in wavering as the world suffers an economic downturn, Ms Packwood said the island has the expertise, capital and systems to continue to prosper. "Bermudians should know that we have just completed two major events in New York and Chicago where we met with many of the large players in the financial industry. We were told repeatedly that Bermuda is in terrific shape and that we have an important and incredibly valuable opportunity to be a part of the solution to this global financial crisis," she said.

Teachers make peace agreement

Teachers pledged to take no further action over the Ministry of Education's failure to give them a promised pay rise last month. Hundreds of teachers attended a union meeting at St. Paul AME Church in Hamilton this week, where they agreed to accept the Government's offer to give them the five per cent increase for 2008/9 by October 31. Schools were disputed last week when teachers left their classrooms to attend a meeting about the issue. According to Mike Charles, the general secretary of Bermuda Union of Teachers, the Ministry was making an effort to sort out the problems concerning individual pay cheques.

American to be Commissioner

Education Minister Randy Horton officially announced this week that US consultant Henry Johnson, who was brought in last year to transform public schools, will act as the island's new commissioner of education until his contract runs out next June. Mr. Horton also announced that Wendy McDonnell is the new director of educational standards and accountability and Llewellyn Simmons is the new director of academics. Mr. Horton told a press conference: "We have selected educational professionals who have demonstrated their ability to work well in their fields of expertise and I believe they will continue to work well in the Ministry of Education as we move to establish standards and accountability throughout our entire system."

BIU urges boycott of Continental

Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) president Chris Furbert this week accused Continental Airlines of "disrespect" over the way it has handled the axeing of 13 jobs in Bermuda and encouraged members to boycott the airline. On Wednesday, 20 to 30 union members picketed the airport in support of those who lost their jobs. Government reacted quickly to lessen the potential damage to the island's relationship with the airline. Acting Tourism Minister El James (pictured) called Mr. Furbert's comments "most unfortunate" and said the department high values its relationship with all airline companies. Continental has enraged the BIU by outsourcing all 13 of its jobs on the island to another company, said to be Sovereign Flight Operations, without offering local employees the chance to be kept on.

Inflation hits five per cent

The rate of inflation reached five per cent in August ¿ with food prices being particularly badly hit. According to Government statistics, the food sector was the largest contributor to the increase with the price of oranges rising 11.1 per cent, flour rising 10.5 per cent, and fresh lettuce rising by 9.4 per cent. As a result, the annual rate of price increase for the food sector climbed 6.5 per cent in August, compared to the same time last year. The rent and fuel and power sectors also impacted strongly on the annual rate of inflation, as price shifts in these sectors were 2.7 per cent and 25 per cent, respectively.