Young parents and elderly people are set to benefit the most from pledges made by the Progressive Labour Party in its election manifesto.

Two new initiatives — described as "bold" by Premier Ewart Brown as he unveiled the PLP platform at Alaska Hall — would mean free means-tested day care for Bermudian families and improved health insurance, including major medical cover, for seniors.

Party chairman David Burt said the promises were central to the PLP's commitment to improving the quality of life of Bermudians.

"It's a very progressive manifesto," he said. "We have falling birth rates in Bermuda — the day care is something that takes the burden off having children.

"This is a progressive approach to mitigating that problem. Where it came from was the doorstep. Day care costs as much as private school does. It's not inexpensive. What we are saying with this is that from the time your child is born to preschool the Government will subsidise day care."

The manifesto, Patterns of Progress, says: "Depending on their financial circumstances, families can look forward to free child care services for parents. We will also provide tax incentives to companies who provide child minder services to their employees at preferred rates."

Mr. Burt said many families would benefit from the scheme, with only high earners exempt. Dr. Brown could not give the cost of the initiative, nor did he put a price on the Future Care health insurance scheme for pensioners.

The platform says: "The immediate needs of our seniors will be dealt with by a new insurance product that meets the needs of our seniors."

Mr. Burt said it would include major medical cover, which people lose once they retire from work.

The current HIP scheme has been heavily criticised for not providing seniors with adequate health care coverage.