At 13 pages, yesterday’s Throne Speech was the longest since 2018 — there was not one in 2019 — and it is noticeable that its length has decreased considerably since the PLP formed the Government.

While brevity is fine — why use three words when one will suffice — was the minimalist approach more about rehashing some old ideas or an effort to hone it to look at specific targets?

While not everything outlined in a Throne Speech can be accomplished in the next 12 months, there seemed to be a lot of looking back.

It promised a Bill to establish an education authority — last year’s speech said: “The Government will advance a Bill to create an Education Authority.”

A South East Hamilton economic empowerment zone was mentioned earlier this year and tax reforms, and in particular the use of tax credits to companies affected by a global minimum tax, have also been mentioned already.

The speech talks of a Cybersecurity Bill, which was first raised in 2021 when that year’s Throne Speech said: “During this legislative Session, the Government will introduce a Cybersecurity Act, which will establish minimum standards for cybersecurity for critical assets such as energy supply, telecommunications, water infrastructure and government data.”

(On a side note, the Throne Speech said a joint select committee would be formed to investigate the recent cyberattack. But is that the right way? Would it be better to hold an independent inquiry, and will it be held in public? Details were lacking.)

There are other items which appear a little whiskery, including the streamlining of government services through digital transformation as well as the streamlining of regulations.

Five years ago, David Burt said that the Government planned to “roll out a digitised national identity programme, based on blockchain technology, early next year”. At the time, the Premier said it was part of a digital transformation that he believed would culminate in “completely paperless government” within five years.

Regardless, any streamlining of services, especially immigration and planning, will be welcomed by island businesses and the charitable sector, which believes digital transformation of government systems is critical, with many knock-on benefits.

Charities hope it will extend to the Government’s role in registering and regulating charities and improve the data on such a critical sector in the community.

There were new ideas and initiatives contained within the Throne Speech, ranging from policies for the island’s youth to furthering the progress of health reform and universal healthcare, to addressing domestic abuse and family violence as well as the urgent need to address delays in the certification of deaths.

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Two stood out.

First, the Speech said: “The Government will also provide benefits to businesses that retain able-bodied, capable workers beyond age 65. These changes will retain the workforce we have while other efforts are committed to growing the island’s economy, creating more jobs that support an increased working population.”

In 2021, a Budget breakfast heard that it was estimated there were $1.5 billion to $1.7 billion of unfunded liabilities overhanging the Public Sector Superannuation Fund, the Ministers and Members Legislature Pension Fund and the Government Employees Health Insurance Fund.

In addition, the event was told that there are unfunded liabilities in Bermuda’s Contributory Pension Fund, with an actuarial best estimate projecting the fund will be exhausted 26 years from 2021.

With an increasingly ageing population, this initiative might also be a nod to those liabilities. The question is — will people want to carry on working and what are the incentives?

The second? The Speech said: “This year marks the 20th anniversary of Bermuda’s entry into Caricom as associate members. In this anniversary year, the Government will renew the vision of Dame Jennifer, initiating a consultation process leading to full membership in Caricom.” There is no explanation as to why or what benefits it could bring.

The Throne Speech appeared light on the environment, which featured quite heavily in the last two speeches, and light on tourism, even though the 2022 Speech said: “The Government’s role is to provide the legislation that will support a tourism recovery.”

Industry leaders said they were pleased to see a commitment to examining pricing that was influenced by global factors, as well as managing the cost of living, especially regarding essential goods and services.

To help the cost of living, the Government said it would amend the Regulatory Act 2022, the Electricity Act 2016 and the Electronic Communications Act 2011 to improve electricity pricing and make it more transparent. No details were given, however, on how they would help pricing or when this would happen.

The cost of living committee has also been instructed to identify more essential commodities for customs breaks.

While the Third Sector believes relief is needed, it would like government find a way to make relief progressive, so that it is targeting those in need versus the general public.

They said everyone bought basic goods and essential commodities but not everyone needed relief.

And although there were no definitive solutions to the housing crisis, there is still clearly a commitment to address the issue of affordable homes.

Under the Global Minimum Tax, companies will be given tax credits for investing in Bermuda and the charitable sector had hoped incentives would also encourage charitable giving.

Many non-profit caseloads, they say, are at all time highs, and more ways to encourage philanthropy are critical to ensure non-profits have the funds needed to function in a sustainable manner.

It appears the demonstrations along Kindley Field Road and in Hamilton had the desired effect as taxis got a fee rise, although it was not specified by how much or when.

There is also pressure on banks to keep fees down, an irritant to so many people, and the Government said it would advance banking reform by legislating the requirement that licensed banks had a duty to provide access to basic banking services to all residents.

It is not clear what those “basic banking services” are, but not everyone is tech savvy, so hopefully a teller or two might stay.

This year’s Throne Speech has the theme of ‘serving the people’. Some people would say that that is the Government’s job and that it does not have to be — should not need to be — highlighted.

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Throne Speech 2021.pdf

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• For the Throne Speeches for 2021, 2022 and 2023, see Related Media