Premier Paula Cox told a Caribbean-wide radio audience that the Civil Service will be reduced in size through "attrition" as people retire and are not replaced.

In Friday's Throne Speech, her Government pledged to review the service to make it more "merit-based" and "maximise" its output.

Prior to her election as PLP leader, Ms Cox told members of Sandys Rotary she planned to "recalibrate" and "reform" it, but without creating redundancies that would be counterproductive during a time of economic hardship.

Elaborating on that topic during an interview with BBC Caribbean on Monday, she told presenter Neil Nunes: "We certainly will be trimming some expenditure. And we'll be trimming unnecessary expenditure. Where there are areas where there are people who retire and we don't need to retain or rehire, there will be a process of attrition. There will also be some lessening of expenditure."

She also fielded questions from Mr. Nunes about her handling of the economy prior to becoming Premier.

He suggested: "One of the other criticisms that you have faced, especially this year from the Opposition in particular, was that you were the Finance Minister. What they say is 'look, this is the same person who was in charge when the Country's debt quadrupled since 2005 responsible for uncontrolled spending, and oversaw a deficit for two years in a row'."

He asked Ms Cox: "How are you going to turn things around?"

She replied: "Well I think what you will find, contrary to the Opposition dramatics, is that Bermuda has fared very well, in fact exceptionally well, despite very difficult economic circumstances.

"And I think you will also find that the international regulatory standard setters and rating agencies have always commended Bermuda for a very prudent macro economic framework."

She was pressed on the issue by Mr. Nunes, who asked: "So are you saying there's no need for change?"

Ms Cox replied: "No, I'm saying that as part of the fiscal approach by the Government there is going to be enhancements both in terms of how we look at capital expenditure projects. And also... by the consolidation and reconfiguration of certain Ministries, there's going to be much more, I suppose, efficiency in terms of how we deliver public services."

She also fielded questions over Dr. Brown's famously combative leadership style. Asked if she will offer a different approach, Ms Cox replied: "The former Premier, Premier Brown, was considered a populist charismatic leader when he was elected by the party in 2006 and certainly in 2007 we went to the general election.

"That was then, and I think many will commend him for what they saw as bold and striking leadership. And you will always have detractors, but I think that most people would say that former Premier Brown and I are like chalk and cheese, and that's not a criticism of him or I, but it is a recognition that we each have a different type of way of interacting.

"Maybe because people find me less physically imposing, and as a woman I want to hear all sides, but I will make my own mind up and I also tend to be very collaborative in approach."

Asked if she heeded concerns that there "need for some healing", Ms Cox replied: "I believe that we as a Country do need to have more of a focus on bringing people together. I think at this stage of our development that is key."

BBC Caribbean broadcasts from London to an audience of just over one million throughout the Caribbean.

Ms Cox's interview can be played via the website at www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean.