Premier Paula Cox will take responsibility for contracts for Government projects, according to a statement this afternoon.

Today Ms Cox unveiled a new Cabinet with several new ministries, including National Security and Economy, Trade and Industry.

In a statement Ms Cox said that in the Finance portfolio, retained by the Premier, HM Customs has been streamlined so a new Minister of National Security will have responsibility for border control and interdiction while the revenue collection function remains within Finance.

Signaling her intention to tighten controls on spending and project management, the Premier will assume responsibility for the architectural design and construction section formerly within Works and Engineering and it is joined with a new division of contract and project management to form a Procurement Office.

"I promised to reconfigure and reshape the way we do business and these changes deliver on that promise," the Premier said.

The new Ministry of Youth, Families and Community Development will administer the Mirrors programme and combine the "helping" services of Financial Assistance and Child and Family Services. Youth, Sport and Recreation and the Department of Human Affairs will also come under this ministry, which is under Glenn Blakeney.

Under new Attorney General and Minister of Justice Michael Scott, the portfolio combines the Department of Corrections, Department of Court Services and the Department of National Drug Control.

Senator Kim Wilson has been appointed the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, which assumes responsibility for the work permit regime as well as "the natural synergy" between Labour and Training.

The Ministry of Business Development and Tourism sees a return to Cabinet of Patrice Minors who will be tasked with heading the development and growth of the Island's existing twin economic pillars: international business and tourism.

"This is an exciting area," the Premier continued. "There has long been a desire to better align these two sectors and combining these responsibilities with an emphasis on development will instill confidence in Bermuda and our future in these two areas."

Senator David Burch is the Minister for National Security and will add border control elements of Customs to his portfolio and retains the Police and the Bermuda Regiment.

"Combining these critical functions under this experienced Minister will result in a stronger interdictive force against the scourge of drugs and guns in the community. This flows from the Gang Task Force joint initiative and will strengthen the efforts of our uniformed, front-line services," the Premier said.

She added: "This Cabinet unites significant experience with fresh faces and we are committed and well equipped to meet the challenges facing Bermuda today."

For more detail and interviews with the new Ministers see tomorrow’s Royal Gazette