Government has again stressed the need for an office in London during this year's Budget statement.

Yesterday, Finance Minister Paula Cox announced the Cabinet Office had been allotted an additional $800,000 to establish a "representative office" in London, which would be in place by the end of the year.

Afterwards, at a news conference Premier Ewart Brown said: "If we are to continue our relationship with the UK, in the way we would like to, we would need to have an office out of which to operate and influence the UK legislators.

"At the Cabinet Office itself you will notice an increase in the overall budget of $1.5 million.

"A significant portion of that increase — $822,000 — is tied to the rental accommodation for a London Office. A necessary change in a previously chosen location, as well as, current market conditions in the London rental market are the main reasons for the increase."

The London office was mentioned in the 2006 Budget, when $500,000 was allotted for its creation. Then Premier Alex Scott said that while Bermuda was the largest of the UK's remaining Overseas Territories, it was one of the only territories not to have permanent representation in London.

"The time has not only come, it has long been an oversight by the previous Government," he said at the time.

When it was first announced, the Opposition branded it as an excuse to create an embassy.

Former Opposition leader Wayne Furbert told the House of Assembly: "I get the impression that the Premier, who is very much interested in independence, will now say it is an embassy of Bermuda in the future. Why do we really need an office in London?"

The Opposition has chosen not to respond to yesterday's announcements until their Reply to the Budget at the next House of Assembly session.