New United Bermuda Party leader Kim Swan has called for more help for the poor, seniors and families as he emphasised his party's social conscience in his Throne Speech reply.

Making his maiden speech to the House of Assembly Mr. Swan returned to one of his favourite themes from his Senate days as he pointed out the 2000 Census had showed that 30 percent of all households were either poor or near poor.

He said that percentage had risen in the last eight years and even middle class families in big numbers are feeling the pressures of Bermuda's high-cost economy.

"Ironically, during this same period the Government collected unprecedented levels of taxes hundreds of millions of dollars that, if the right focus existed, could have been directed to help people most in need," he said.

"Across the board, the cost of living is at a historic high. Rents and housing prices are prohibitive, groceries and utilities exorbitant and everyday items disconcertingly expensive."

He said urgent action was needed as he highlighted the plight of families.

The decline in family values was a significant factor in Bermuda's problems, said Mr. Swan.

"We have a choice to address the problems aggressively by enhancing family development or pay dearly on the back-end with social rehabilitation.

"Many children are going to school hungry and many children are not receiving the support to flourish; and with the decline in the extended family they are not receiving the wholesome upbringing Bermuda once prided itself on."

More need to be done on education said Mr. Swan who added that middle class families were struggling to pay school fees because they had no faith in public education.

"In May 2007, we were told that the public education system 'was on the brink of a meltdown'. The Education Minister promised there would be changes in place by the start of the school year in September.

"But there were no changes in September, and 6,000 children are suffering the consequences."

He said the Hopkins Report had highlighted cronyism, nepotism and secrecy in the Ministry's operations.

"The current Interim Board seems to be operating under the very same conditions that its consultant deplored less than a year ago," he said.

The UBP propose more teacher training, greater autonomy for schools and an integrated program for technical education from middle school through to Bermuda College.

The new Opposition leader noted little had been mentioned on seniors in the Throne Speech other than vague promises about Future Care which Government say will offer "fair, affordable and equitable" health care for seniors.

"But the more one hears about it, the more we are left wondering if this was a scheme hatched in the midst of an election campaign, with little understanding of the details, let alone the concept and cost."

He wondered why there was no mention of a new hospital. "The last word, it seems, was that of the former Minister of Health who asked for a rewrite of a John Hopkins report so that it did not embarrass the Government."

Instead Government was intent on building Urgent Care Centres at either end of the Island.

"They will cost millions of dollars and claim hundreds of man hours that could be devoted to the hospital project," he said. "We also question the need for purpose-built facilities when lower cost possibilities exist at the Southampton and St. David's fire departments, both of which have EMT capabilities."

And Government needed to turn its attention to crime needed yet Mr.Swan noted there was no commitment in the Throne Speech to bring Police power up to mandated levels.

Mr. Swan also lashed Government's handling of planning issues which has seen developments fast-tracked while the public were not allowed to have their say.