Government should stop giving itself “pats on the back” and instead “hold its collective heads in shame” when considering its management of the Island’s social ills.This is according to United Bermuda Party MP Charlie Swan, who said he has noticed Government making a “concerted effort to defend their record” when giving Ministerial Statements during the House of Assembly sessions on Fridays.He said these statements, which are normally followed by questions, are supposed to be a chance for Ministers to update the public on Government business.But instead they appear to be defending their record, he said, adding: “This Government should hold its collective heads in shame”.Providing a lengthy list of criticisms, Mr Swan said Government programmes should be called ‘efforts’ instead of ‘initiatives’. He said they were more like “short term band aids” for our problems.“Many [programmes] are being enacted after the fact ... as this Government was warned long ago that Bermuda was headed for tough times.“Many of their new efforts are a direct result of failed policies they enacted themselves. And some will leave a negative legacy years down the road.”Mr Swan, the UBP spokesman for education, labour and training, said the Island had many social problems that needed to be sorted out.“We built a cruise pier without proper planning on transportation now have tourists unable to catch ferries.”He said Government had “belatedly” addressed tourist facilities at Horseshoe Bay and was ‘only now’ looking at the west end as a visitor destination via the expansion of the Economic Empowerment Zone (EEZ).He said teachers had been fired, which will affect the education of future generations; and work permit policies have been affecting firms’ ability to operate.Mr Swan also hit out against Finance Minister Paula Cox who he said “has spent a great deal of time comparing her tenure under Premier Brown, and to date, to isolated incidents during the UBP’s years in Government”.“She should remember that we had six financially prudent Finance Ministers before she was given the reins including her predecessor and father, the late Hon. C. Eugene Cox JP MP.“Comparisons between Finance Minister Cox and every Finance Minister before her are startling. Never before has Bermuda been so ill prepared to deal with tough economic times.“Since attaining the position in 2004, our national debt has quintupled…..that’s right … multiplied by five times.”He said Government was using Minsterial Statements to tout what it had done “as if they have provided the answer to our country’s ills”.“Yes: It has spent millions on many good programmes, but these haven’t addressed our ills. It has spent millions on new buildings and infrastructure and these don’t make a lasting contribution to jobs.“The Government has also alienated its own people, not properly encouraged a viable business environment, and wasted tens of millions…..for what?“None of this has left the country or its people in a position to effectively weather an economic downturn, or confident in the Government’s handling of our hard earned taxes and levies.”He said Government was patting itself on the back for “long called for, but only recently announced” anti corruption legislation. He said the laws had come “after the horse has bolted”.Senator David Burt, Chief of Staff and Junior Minister of Finance, last night said the Progressive Labour Party has been “committed to creating jobs, combatting crime, educating our people, and creating opportunities for Bermudians”.“We believe that the Bermudian public has a right to know what we’re doing. Is Mr Swan really suggesting that we do less? Or, is he suggesting we hide what is happening in Government to the Bermudian public?” He said either suggestion was “ridiculous”.Sen Burt said the Island was facing many challenges, but the people of Bermuda should rest assured they have a Government that “keeps them informed and puts their interests ahead of silly bickering”.“Long e-mails and loud speeches don’t create jobs; hard work does. The PLP Government will continue the people’s work and the Opposition can decide whether they want to assist in a constructive fashion, or continue to complain instead of working towards solutions. Whatever they decide we will continue to work overtime for the people of Bermuda.”He continued: “I would also suggest that the Opposition listen more carefully to the programmes being put into place by the Government.“Instead of complaining that they get paid to listen to Ministerial Statements in the House of Assembly, they should take the information and share it with their constituents who may benefit from the multitude of programmes the Government is implementing to retrain Bermudians, and get the unemployed back to work.”