Today’s sitting of the House of Assembly will be dominated by the One Bermuda Alliance’s reply, one week on, to the 2023 Throne Speech — with no legislation up for debate.

It comes after an address last night by David Burt in which the Premier expanded on topics in the legislative agenda and laid out a shuffle of ministerial responsibilities.

Youth affairs and financial assistance will go to Tinée Furbert’s Ministry of Youth, Social Development and Seniors.

Walter Roban, the home affairs minister, will take over “all matters related to Caricom and the area of constitutional reform”.

The Throne Speech came with a pledge to make Bermuda a full Caricom member.

Planning is to be shifted to the Cabinet Office under Vance Campbell, while tourism will move to a ministry “to be styled as the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport” under Owen Darrell.

Mr Burt said the changes would come into effect today.

The Premier opened with reference to the court appearance of a former Progressive Labour Party senator, Curtis Richardson, who has been charged with causing the road death of footballer and new father Marco Warren.

The Premier backed “the pursuit of justice for Marco's family” and condemned a swirl of “political machinations and personal attacks” in the community over the case.

Mr Burt said the Throne Speech’s theme of “Serving the People” touched on building a “fairer and more equitable society”.

He pledged a balancing of the island’s tax regime to cut “the cost of living and doing business”, in tandem with the introduction of a Corporate Income Tax Bill.

As stated last week, the core benefits package for universal healthcare is to be drawn up over this parliamentary year.

Mr Burt asked for the community’s patience as the Government built its inventory of affordable housing.

“We have also heard the frustrations you have expressed on the need for improved public services,” he said.

“Too many have complained that phones are not answered and emails are not returned.”

Mr Burt said changes to hiring would ensure the appropriate staff were in place for better government services.

He noted that yesterday marked 25 years since the 1998 General Election in which the PLP took charge for the first time of the Bermuda Government.

“As I reflect on that historic 1998 General Election, I am reminded of great women and men on both sides of the aisle who embraced the change that came with grace and a commitment to working together for Bermuda and her people.

“Service was ingrained in that generation of leaders and their example is one we must emulate.”

He added: “Serving the people is the high calling for all of us in public service and the core ideal of this Throne Speech is to execute on that calling.”

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• To read the Premier’s speech in full, see “Related Media”