Opposition Leader Wayne Furbert is tonight set to address the nation to deliver his response to Premier Ewart Brown's First 100 Days Speech.

In a televised speech this evening, Mr. Furbert will attack Bermuda's "broken" education system, increasing levels of crime, the need to help seniors and the shortage of affordable homes on the Island. It comes after Dr. Brown promised a string of measures to address all those subjects in a televised broadcast to the nation on Monday night. A United Bermuda Party spokesman said last night: "We are taking TV time tomorrow.

"Mr. Furbert will speak about each of the areas touched on by the Premier last night.

"These are a broken education system, increasing crime, the need for affordable housing, the need to help our seniors and the need to do more for our children.

"And overall, the need to give the country a clear sense of direction and a Government that can work effectively towards building a better society."

In Monday's speech, Dr. Brown said he had initiated discussions with the Governor on "creative ways to combat crime which will strike at the very heart of criminal operations".

Government House, which is constitutionally responsible for Police operations, yesterday confirmed an ongoing dialogue with the Premier began earlier this year concerning new crime fighting techniques for the country's Police.

However, the Deputy Governor would not give specifics on the options under consideration.

Dep. Gov. Mark Capes said: "The meeting was really to look at approaches to a number of issues. That sort of discussion is very helpful, it means everybody is informed on what's being done."

Mr. Capes would not agree though to inform the public just yet.

The Premier's remarks on Monday night suggested there were new measures being considered specifically to combat a rise in violent crime statistics ? which last quarter were at their highest level in seven years.

He said: "I have initiated discussions with the Governor on creative ways to combat crime which will strike at the very heart of criminal operations."

Premier Brown also said: "We are in some areas short on resources and manpower."

Mr. Capes was asked what kinds of resources and manpower need beefing up.

He replied: "Bermuda is a sophisticated place with a rising economy, so certainly there will be shortages in some areas. That situation is seen anywhere in the world because specific skills are in high demand globally.

"It's not an unusual or a surprising phenomenon, it's one you have to address when you're looking at solutions."

When asked whether the Police Service needed more officers, he said: "I don't want to get into the details of that, but we'll look into some of those issues."

In his speech, Dr. Brown stressed an imminent full-scale review of Bermuda's education system would "help deal with the performance of our students". He acknowledged the current system was "not equipping our young people to compete in this increasingly competitive global environment".

Figures revealed in January showed less than half of final year students graduated last summer.

The Premier stated the Government had been dealing with the issues of affordable housing "with vigour", pointing to the opening of a total of 28 units at Anchorage Villas and Butterfield Lane in the first 100 days of his leadership.

He said many more projects would see ground broken soon, and that by June a 100-unit seniors residence would be completed at Rockaway in public-private partnership effort.

Meanwhile, the Sylvia Richardson Care Facility in St. George's, marks a turning point in the Government's commitment to "provide our seniors with the best care we can provide", he said.