Bermuda's Miss Big & Beautiful
HAMILTON (Bermuda Sun), February 18, 2006:
More housing, more money for seniors’ health care and training for Bermudians are the top sellers in this year’s Budget, delivered today by Finance Minister Paula Cox.
Other big items include money to complete a community centre with gym, health club and swimming pool in Sandys.
Money has also been set aside to open a new Government office in London.
On housing, Ms Cox said $25m would be spent this year with a further $42m planned for next year. She said: “To ensure that even more Bermudians have a secure place to call home, Government will commence the construction of 330 new rental units over the next 30 months.”
Money will go towards the new Harbourside Village project at Southside, which is a mixed development of 100 market price homes and 100 ‘affordable ones’ and a new 200-bed homeless shelter on North Street.
One scheme being talked about includes building 96 homes with an on-site day care centre. The homes are expected to cost less than $500,000. The big news for seniors is a 15 per cent increase in drug benefits, which means they can receive up to $1,150 worth of prescription drugs on an annual basis.
The Minister pitched the Budget around the Government’s 'Social Agenda’, a phrase designed to show people it cares about them and their everyday lives. Payroll tax remains the same at 13.5 per cent.
By Nigel Regan
Chief Reporter
Copyright 2006
Bermuda Sun Ltd.
February 18, 2006
BERMUDA: Deals for Seniors in This Year's Budget
Bermuda's Miss Big & Beautiful
HAMILTON (Bermuda Sun), February 18, 2006:
More housing, more money for seniors’ health care and training for Bermudians are the top sellers in this year’s Budget, delivered today by Finance Minister Paula Cox.
Other big items include money to complete a community centre with gym, health club and swimming pool in Sandys.
Money has also been set aside to open a new Government office in London.
On housing, Ms Cox said $25m would be spent this year with a further $42m planned for next year. She said: “To ensure that even more Bermudians have a secure place to call home, Government will commence the construction of 330 new rental units over the next 30 months.”
Money will go towards the new Harbourside Village project at Southside, which is a mixed development of 100 market price homes and 100 ‘affordable ones’ and a new 200-bed homeless shelter on North Street.
One scheme being talked about includes building 96 homes with an on-site day care centre. The homes are expected to cost less than $500,000. The big news for seniors is a 15 per cent increase in drug benefits, which means they can receive up to $1,150 worth of prescription drugs on an annual basis.
The Minister pitched the Budget around the Government’s 'Social Agenda’, a phrase designed to show people it cares about them and their everyday lives. Payroll tax remains the same at 13.5 per cent.
By Nigel Regan
Chief Reporter
Copyright 2006
Bermuda Sun Ltd.
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