OPPOSITION MP Kim Swan is calling on Government to carry out a mini-census to gauge how many people are falling below the poverty line.

And the former United Bermuda Party Senator, who now represents St. George's West after winning the seat for his party at last week's General Election, said official statistics on poverty are now hopelessly outdated ¿ and that many more Bermudians are now struggling financially than is officially claimed.

Mr. Swan said the economy had undergone dramatic changes since the last census was conducted in 2000 ¿ and that an accurate "snapshot" of the economy was needed before financial policies could be drawn up.

"After nine years and the PLP's third consecutive election victory with the same disproportionate 22/14 majority that they enjoyed in 2003 the fact remains that many Bermudians still cannot afford to live in their own country," Mr. Swan said.

"From the cost of a starter home, to the cost of a bag of groceries ¿ the cost of living in Bermuda has grown well beyond the means of Mr. and Mrs. Working Bermudian.

"The clear extent of this disparity needs to be fully appreciated, examined and addressed. And while the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have nots' has grown, the threat of a shrinking middle class is also of paramount concern."

Mr. Swan pointed out that in 2001 Government had promised to carry out a mini-census by 2005, but the pledge never materialised.

"If it had, the results would possibly have been far too revealing for Government's own political comfort ¿ but helpful for the betterment of Bermuda nonetheless," Mr. Swan said.

The MP claimed that global events had had a significant impact on the island's economy since 2000 ¿ and a true picture of how Bermudians were coping financially should be a Government priority. The next census is not scheduled to take place until 2010.

"On the heels of another comfortable majority at the polls, I call on the Government to carry out a more comprehensive, expanded, Household Expenditure Survey or mini-census," Mr. Swan said.

"The results would provide valuable information about the real gap that exist between the 'haves' and the 'have nots'. Moreover, it would also clearly outline what annual household income level is required to surpass the real poverty line ¿ categorised in the last census at $37,000 for poor and $45,000 near poor.

"We also need to see an analysis of the number of affordable homes built in the last nine years, as opposed to the many hundreds of high-end homes and condos that are effectively out of reach for most Bermudians. The irony is that the high levels of housing that has been built under the PLP has not been for the average 40 hour per week working person in Bermuda.

"The family earning between $15 and $25 per hour needs to work between 55-70 hours per week just to survive and make ends meet. Contrast that with the days when working 60 hours per week allowed you to get ahead and even realise the Bermuda dream of owning your own home.

"Today, I challenge the Government to commission a mini-census or expanded household survey, to provide an accurate snapshot of Bermuda at this point and time. Bermudians are frustrated with this state of affairs¿- as it is reasonable to assume that the household poverty level benchmark has undoubtedly grown to nearly $50,000 per annum since the last census report.

"The implications for Bermudians, who are feeling the brunt of these economical challenges, are real and widespread and are spilling over negatively into many aspects of Bermudian life.

"It is imperative for the people to receive the best representation and leaders must be prepared to address the problems the people are experiencing daily in Bermuda.

"This Government can start by first recognising and then addressing the economic imbalance that it has presided over and contributed to over the past nine years in office."