A calculated plan of action for immigration system reform is under way, the Premier said.

David Burt told MPs on Friday that a “strategic approach ... is in train”.

He added: “Its careful execution is critical to the success of Bermuda.

“A work permit scheme has already been put in place and the overall administrative processes are being streamlined and automated.”

The comments came in a ministerial statement in the House of Assembly to provide a progress update on recommendations from the BermudaFirst think tank.

The group involving about 90 Bermudians submitted a socio-economic plan for Bermuda last summer.

Politicians and civil servants were deliberately excluded from the work of the group at the request of Mr Burt, who commissioned the report, with the aim to provide an “external view”.

The report identified three critical areas for reform: education, healthcare and immigration.

The group’s recommendations included formation of an independent education authority, immigration reform aimed at promoting economic growth by providing the skills the island lacks and holistic, outcome-based healthcare reform.

Mr Burt said that the group made 35 recommendations that fell under the responsibility of the Ministry of Health.

He added that 23 — or 66 per cent — of the recommendations made by the group “were either in progress by the Ministry of Health or are fully supported and will be actioned in the near future”.

Mr Burt said that healthcare reform was “actively under way and forms a significant portion of the work of [the] Ministry of Health”.

He said: “In line with the recommendations, the Standard Health Benefit is currently being redesigned to modernise the current reimbursement scheme.

“Also as part of the health financing reform Government is in the process of regulating fees to healthcare providers as recommended by BermudaFirst.”

The Premier said that the modernisation of public schools was included in plans for school redesign and restructure.

He added: “Hospitality education, industry training and community engagement is progress, students are being introduced to more technical/vocational programme options, and students are being linked with approved industry partners for mentoring, internships and real career expertise.”

Mr Burt said that all teachers would be required to be “appropriately trained in the use of technology”.

He added that information technology literacy was being added into the public school system, and that robotics and coding classes were now offered to Primary 5 and Primary 6 pupils.

Mr Burt said that the amendment of the 60:40 rule to encourage more foreign investment and the passing of legislation to “encourage development of approved residential schemes with the Economic Empowerment Zones” were both in line with recommendations of BermudaFirst.

He added: “This Government is also working with the Salvation Army to upgrade the existing housing shelter on North Street, what will provide long overdue upgrades to the buildings at this site with the $1 million in funding allocated in the 2020-21 Budget.”

• To read David Burt’s ministerial statement in full, click on the PDF under “Related Media”