Shadow Business Development Minister Wayne Furbert has called for a “quality of life” survey to gauge the impact of the Island’s economic hardships on the community.

Mr Furbert said in a statement this morning: “With massive unemployment, cuts to financial assistance and many churches and charities required to do more with less, Bermuda is in never before seen circumstances.

“The Bermuda Progressive Labour Party believes that public policy decisions must be informed by the facts as they stand today and not what we assume them to be. That’s why the PLP recommends that the government immediately initiate a Quality of Life Study.

“Bermudians need hope and need to know that the real circumstances surrounding wages, living expenses and the overall well being of Bermudians are known to the government of the day and informs their decisions going forward. This was a valuable tool in previous decades and will be invaluable in ensuring that no one is being left behind as we seek to revitalise our economy.

“Let’s work together to see how our people are really making out in one of the wealthiest countries in the world and do all we can to guarantee that we truly are building a Bermuda that works for Bermudians.”