The PLP will encourage the creation of a more affordable Bermuda through:

 1.  Urgent Action to Provide More Affordable Housing to Bermudians

Affordable housing is a cornerstone of our vision for a more affordable Bermuda. We want a Bermuda where every Bermudian has the opportunity for homeownership and access to secure, affordable housing. We understand the significant barriers many residents face in achieving and maintaining housing, especially in challenging economic times.

The PLP will continue working with key stakeholders, expanding assistance programs, and delivering solutions that support both vulnerable families and middle-income earners seeking affordable housing options.

We are prepared to address these challenges head-on and provide innovative, sustainable solutions to ensure all Bermudians have a fair chance at homeownership and housing stability.

The PLP is committed to:

• Developing a long-term plan to transition the former Bermudiana Beach Resort and Grand Atlantic into affordable housing for Bermudians, offering rent-to-own schemes and housing lottery opportunities for first-time homeowners.
• Introducing an Inclusionary Housing and Zoning Policy and further relaxing certain height restrictions to promote the inclusion of affordable housing in new residential developments.
• Finalising amendments to the Landlord and Tenant Act to incentivise and support positive rental relationships, streamlining the eviction of non-compliant tenants while protecting the rights of compliant tenants & landlords.
• Continuing collaboration with nonprofits and key stakeholders to finalise a comprehensive  Plan to End Homelessness. 
• Consulting on amendments to the Bermuda Constitution Order to ensure that naturalisation as a British Overseas Territory Citizen does not automatically grant persons unlimited property ownership rights in Bermuda.
• Advancing legislative amendments and government initiatives to address derelict properties.
• Partnering with the private sector to offer rent-to-own programs and creating additional opportunities for home ownership.
• Strengthening laws and policies to protect mortgage and lending customers facing financial difficulties, and updating the Lender Code of Conduct to ensure fair borrowing practices and penalties for non-compliant lenders.
• Working with the Bermuda Monetary Authority and industry stakeholders to review home insurance regulations, reduce excessive premium increases, and explore policy reforms that allow homeowners to select appropriate coverage levels based on realistic risk assessments.

2. Making Essential Goods Affordable

All Bermudians deserve access to affordable and healthy food. No one should be forced to make the impossible choice between going hungry and covering other daily expenses.  This is an unacceptable burden on Bermudians.

While the PLP has already taken steps to reduce costs for grocers and wholesalers importing goods into Bermuda, these cost savings are not always reflected at the register.  

We will hold businesses accountable to ensure price reductions are passed on to consumers - especially since the Government has already cut taxes for these businesses by removing duties on essential goods.

The next PLP government is committed to ensuring healthy food is affordable for all by increasing oversight, supervision, and controls over the cost of food and grocery items. 

The PLP is committed to:

• Implementing fair pricing control & transparency measures to ensure that the benefits of the Government’s zero import duties on essential goods are passed directly to consumers, rather than increasing company profits.
• Expand the categories of essential goods to allow improved access to necessary goods for Bermudians, helping to support a stable quality of life.
• Supporting a food cooperative and community-based initiatives to encourage competitive, affordable, and diverse options for food & essential goods shopping. 
• Launch a Digital Grocery Price Tracker to provide price comparisons of essential goods across major supermarkets, promoting pricing transparency. 
• Reducing red tape and eliminating permit costs for streetside food vendors, farmer's markets, and local producers. 
• Pledging to use funds raised by the sugar tax to support the agricultural and fishing sectors, increase food production and distribution, and promote the 100% utilisation of arable land.
• Reprioritising the remit of our Parks Department to be food-focused, incorporating food production into select underutilised public spaces such as parks and vacant fields to promote food security, community gardens and hubs.
• Exploring trade and tariff incentive agreements with Caribbean nations to reduce shipping costs and improve access to quality affordable goods. 

3. Promoting Accessibility to Sustainable and Cost Efficient Utilities

Affordable energy is a necessary part of Bermudian life, and the industry is ripe for opportunities to achieve greater independence and competition. The PLP remains dedicated to reducing the cost of utilities by reshaping the way they are provided and priced. 

At the same time, we remain focused on maintaining the balance for users who continue to rely on BELCO for electricity. Through measures like the Fuels Act 2022, we have strengthened regulations on fuel and gas prices to protect residents from unfair increases. 

While BELCO is Bermuda’s primary source of electricity, Bermudians deserve access to affordable and cleaner alternative sources without being penalised for exploring other options.

The PLP is committed to:

• Amending section 35 of the Electricity Act to remove or limit categories of recoverable expenses that allow BELCO to pass certain costs onto consumers. This change will ensure fewer costs are recoverable, prioritising affordability for Bermudians.
• Further empowering the Regulatory Authority to implement fairer pricing on retail electricity tariffs.
• Developing community solar programs to expand access to renewable energy alternatives for Bermudians.
• Reviewing and amending current legislation and regulations that require mandatory connection to BELCO, to allow more diverse and independent energy generation without risk to electrical grid stability. 
• Reviewing the Retail Tariff and Feed-In-Tariff methodology to continue to protect consumers from the extreme variations in international oil pricing.
• Continuing to promote clean energy innovation,  investment, and modernisation in the electricity generation sector. 

4. Strengthening Free Market Competition and Anti-monopoly Law 

We believe in a diverse economy that offers Bermudians increased choices and opportunities.  While the PLP celebrates and supports the ability of open markets to grow, change, and adapt, we are also committed to ensuring that these markets remain fair, competitive, and accountable to the public. The PLP will not support unfair practices like cartels and price-fixing, or any behaviour that limits healthy competition and drives up costs for consumers.

We understand that on a small island, some businesses may have a large share of the market or are the only ones in their field. However, this must be balanced with accountability and fairness.  

With rising costs and changes in essential goods and services, we will expand pro-competition efforts to ensure that the needs of everyday Bermudians are met fairly and transparently.

The PLP is committed to: 

• Establishing a Regulatory and Competition Authority, with independent boards for each remit, to oversee regulated and unregulated sectors and enforce more transparent pricing to protect consumers and ensure fair competition.
• Instituting stronger competition and antitrust legislation and regulations to prevent unnecessary concentration of power in essential sectors and promote market fairness.