The Government has been accused of failing to deliver on pledges it made two years ago to create jobs and stimulate the economy.

Jarion Richardson, the opposition One Bermuda Alliance spokesman on Labour, pointed out that many initiatives launched as part of the Economic Recovery Plan were still in the development stage.

The plan was devised by the ruling Progressive Labour Party in the summer of 2020, just months before it won a landslide election victory.

According to the Government’s website, the ERP “responds to the urgent need to safeguard and secure our economic future.

“It aims to combine fiscal responsibility with a clear path to growth, employment and greater economic equity.”

The plan currently consists of 30 projects to boost jobs, although last month Jason Hayward, the Economy and Labour Minister, singled out four “lead” initiatives.

But yesterday Mr Richardson pointed out that little progress had been made in any of the priority projects in months.

Mr Richardson said: “In the 19 months since the Government called the Economic Recovery Plan ‘a response to the urgency of the situation’, not one of the four lead initiatives have been executed.

“As of last month, the Tynes Bay water and waste treatment plant full business case was described by Government as ‘a work in progress’.

“The Uptown Development Authority was associated with another project to facilitate synergies. The Casino Industry Plan was with the Casino Gambling Commission to ensure strong partnership.

“As for the vertical farming facility, almost two years ago, the Government said it was in negotiations to bring overseas expertise to the island and that was in the ‘final stages’.

“These are all very impressive ways of saying the ideas are not finalised or delivered.

“More upsetting is that the ERP actually started in 2020 when preparatory work was conducted in July through September.

“The Government then said development of an implementation plan took place from October 2020 to February 2021, and the implementation started in March 2021.

“So, it’s taken more than 24 months to get the words on the pages for how the Government proposes to recover the economy.

“Since that time, 30 per cent youth unemployment and staggering inflation have added to our unsustainable debt and underfunded pensions.

“If it’s taken this long to write the plans to recover the economy, when will it actually start?”

When he announced last month that his ministry was going to focus on four projects Mr Hayward said: “The actions we must now take require boldness, determination, courage and rigorous execution.

But according to the latest updates on the Government’s website, the projects remain in the developmental stage.

The website states that “a business case is being prepared to detail the investment required and the proposed procurement model” for the redevelopment of the Tynes Bay water and waste treatment plant.

On vertical farming, the website states: “The Government, in co-operation with BEDC, has identified a partner for the large-scale vertical farming initiative.

“Negotiations are well progressed with regard to formalising the partnership agreement. Potential sites have been identified for the facility with discussions with landlords on the partnership.”

But an uptown development project team, which will push economic development in north Hamilton, has now been created.

The website also pointed out that two hotels – the St Regis Bermuda Resort and the Hamilton Princess Hotel and Beach Club – have been awarded provisional casino licenses to operate in Bermuda and are at the last stage of a three-stage licensing process.