Figures released by the Finance Ministry yesterday demonstrated that the Progressive Labour Party Government was on the right track, the Opposition Party said yesterday.In a statement released hours after Finance Minister Bob Richards told the country that Government would be forced to raise the debt ceiling and borrow more money to keep the ship of state afloat, Shadow Finance Minister David Burt said that the previous administration had succeeded in reducing taxes, cutting spending and reducing the deficit.“The figures also show that government’s finances for the last fiscal year were $39 million dollars better than the previous figures released by government,” Mr Burt said.“In February 2012, the Ministry of Finance projected that the budget deficit for the last fiscal year (2011/12) would be $268 million however today’s figures showed that the deficit came in at $229 million which is $39 million less than projected.“The figures also show that the PLP government reduced total government spending by $102 million in fiscal year 2001/12 when compared to the previous year.“The $229 million deficit is smaller than the deficit in the previous year even though revenues fell by $83 million which was party a result of payroll tax reductions and special concessions to retailers.“The figures also project that the current fiscal year deficit is expected to be $198 million. This would represent two consecutive years of deficit reduction by the PLP Government.“The PLP is hopeful that the OBA Government will continue the PLP’s work to reduce the budget deficit, and looks forward to the Budget debate next month.”Meanwhile, the Bermuda Public Service Union has responded to the Finance Minister’s call for “shared sacrifice” by cautioning that the quality of public services should not be jeopardised by any reductions.“I have already stated that the BPSU are well aware of where the country is financially and that negotiations will have to be more creative and innovative,” said BPSU President Kevin Grant.“There are a number of options that have been floated in the media, on the street and some were even mentioned today.“However it is imperative that we realise that any cuts, or reductions must be discussed and negotiated where there will be a win-win situation for all stake holders involved.”Mr Grant continued: “When negotiations do start, one of our main areas of concern that we will try to address is that the BPSU have a mandate to ensure that quality public services must be maintained at all times.“Any negotiations that jeopardise quality public services puts a negative impact on the community at large and confidence within the civil service.”