Premier Craig Cannonier has unveiled a new Cabinet line-up that reduces the number of Government Ministers from 13 to ten.

At a press conference this morning, Mr Cannonier said the changes were “part of a process toward better governing and greater efficiency” — and later added that they will save the taxpayer around $240,000. The changes take place with immediate effect.

Demoted in the shuffle are Education Minister Nalton Brangman, who will now be junior Minister of Tourism in the Senate. Grant Gibbons will take over Education and also keep the Economic Development portfolio.

Also out of the Cabinet is Leah Scott, the former Minister Without Portfolio. She will become the new junior Minister of Education in the House of Assembly.

And Sylvan Richards has been dropped as Environment Minister. He will be the new junior Minister of Home Affairs in the lower house.

In one other move, Trevor Moniz and Patricia Gordon Pamplin have traded places, with Ms Gordon-Pamplin now Minister for Public Works and Mr Moniz being handed Health. In addition, Mr Moniz will also take on the Environment Ministry.

At this morning’s press conference the Premier said the changes were not “a fly by night decision” but had been under consideration for many months with a view to producing a more efficient Government.

“As Premier, it is my responsibility to lead by example and make some tough decisions from the top down,” Mr Cannonier said.

“Today, I will announce a decision that will produce a leaner, more effective and efficient Cabinet. The changes reflect recommendations made by the UK National School of Government from 2011, my own observations over the past twelve months and indeed it will fulfil part of our platform promise. We are making the tough decisions that the previous administration would not make. Today, this OBA government is fulfilling our promise.

“These Cabinet changes are part of a process toward better governing and greater efficiency. We’ve got a very busy legislative year ahead of us.

“We started the process of shared sacrifice and change earlier in the year when my Cabinet Ministers all took a ten percent pay cut, effectively saving the Government hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“Today, I would like to announce further changes for the Cabinet that will reduce the Cabinet from 13 to 10 and will take place with immediate effect and deliver further savings.

The Premier added that the three Ministers dropped from the Cabinet were “team players”.

“I’m proud to say that their commitment to the government and the people of Bermuda remains unwavering and intact,” he added.

“I welcome their continued assistance and representation in their new roles.”

He added that Dr Gibbons had been given the Education portfolio so that the Ministry would have a stronger presence in the House of Assembly. Former Minister Nalton Brangman sits in the Senate.

“It is important to understand that the process of identifying efficiencies will be an ongoing initiative for this Government. I want people to understand that we need to get better, that we need to face up to our challenges and make the required changes. Each one of us has to also commit to making sure we do all we can to make Bermuda succeed, because the challenges confronting Bermuda are serious and real, and there should be no doubt about that.”

Later in the House of Assembly, Mr Cannonier told MPs said the shuffle demonstrated Government’s “prudent management of the public purse”.

Progressive Labour Party MP Lawrence Scott asked Mr Cannonier whether it was by design that all the Ministers removed were “never part of the United Bermuda Party” — but Speaker of the House Randolph Horton dismissed the question as “ridiculous”.

Questioned by PLP MP Rolfe Commissiong, Mr Cannonier said the decision predated recommendations by the Spending and Government Efficiency (SAGE) Commission, which last month proposed that Cabinet be reduced to just eight Ministers. The Premier said he did not foresee ever having less than ten Ministers in order to maintain an effective civil service.