Supporting Bermudians through all Stages of Life

As times change, so do the challenges Bermudians face – in raising families, preserving our culture, and building a secure future for generations to come. The PLP is committed to being a government that supports Bermudians through every stage of life.

1. Ensuring a Supportive Presence Through Early Stages

Beyond the financial burdens many face, we recognise the unique challenges of life in Bermuda. For those with the intention of starting families, we are committed to providing the necessary support to nurture and sustain the newest members of our Bermuda-born community and their caregivers.

The PLP is committed to:

  • Increasing support for the Child Development Programme, including the Speech and Language Programme, Family Counselling Programme, and Parent-Infant Groups.
  • Adding infant, baby and toddler formulas to the basic basket of goods via the Cost of Living Commission Act 1974 and the Cost of Living (Essential Commodities) Regulations 2022, increasing the level of stability and transparency regarding prices.
  • Introducing a baby box program to provide essential items for newborns, supporting early development and giving Bermudian families a strong start in their child's life.
  • Establishing parental leave available to a legal guardian or adoptive parent, and revising the existing structure of statutory paternity and maternity leave to provide increased flexibility for families.
  • Removing pregnancy termination from the criminal code and the requirement for Committee approval. 
  • Expand independent living programs for youth ageing out of foster care, integrating education, mental wellness, and financial planning.

2. Promoting Youth Empowerment and Participation

We have listened closely to Bermuda’s young people, and we accept your call: your concerns, hopes, and drive to be part of the change our island needs. We value your engagement and are committed to making Bermuda a place where you want to build your lives, put down roots, access opportunities, and take an active role in shaping Bermuda’s future together.

We are equally dedicated to advancing education by providing the tools, resources, and pathways that support your personal and professional growth. 

The PLP is committed to:

  • Introducing absentee voting for eligible overseas students registered in the course of study, ensuring their voices are heard in Bermuda’s democratic process.
  • Partnering with youth-led organisations and the Office of Youth Affairs to re-establish a National Youth Council.
  • Conducting a full review of the Children Act 1998 to update the Act to address barriers to care for youth, including supporting children and youth mental health support, anti-bullying, and child protection. 
  • Expanding Bermuda’s residential care options with new therapeutic group homes and secure treatment facilities designed to provide targeted support for children requiring intervention.
  • Reintroducing Bermuda Youth Counselling Services to provide support and guidance to adolescents in overcoming challenges.
  • Increasing support for youth-led organisations and charities committed to civic engagement, youth participation, leadership and critical thinking skills, and expanding opportunities for work shadowing and exposure to senior leadership roles.
  • Expand evidence-based mental health first aid training for adults working with adolescents.

3. Advancing Education Transformation

The PLP is committed to continuing the transformation of Bermuda's education system to provide our young people with a strong foundation for success, regardless of their abilities or learning needs.

We are also dedicated to expanding access to higher education and specialised training by offering scholarships and creating a hardship fund to support those who struggle to finance their studies. 

We recognise the concerns about ensuring the next generation of Bermudians can compete and work within Bermuda. Providing a strong education system with access to opportunities for further development – in Bermuda and abroad – is one of the most effective ways to secure a bright future for our youth and our island. 

The PLP is committed to:

  • Transitioning away from overseas consultants to accelerate the growth of sustainable, homegrown leadership in education reform.
  • Completing the implementation of the Education Authority to change how public education is funded, governed, and led.
  • Continuing to execute the transformation of the public education system by phasing out middle schools and returning Bermuda to a 2-tier system with signature schools which will provide education in skilled trades like construction and health care.
  • Provide additional resources to support professionals in education as they navigate education reform, including enhanced support for professional development.
  • Renovating and rebuilding school infrastructure to create safe, innovative learning environments focusing on accessibility and energy efficiency.
  • Strengthening inclusive and special education by advancing legislation that ensures better support and accountability for children with additional needs and disabilities. 
  • Expanding the eligibility of the Bermuda College Promise Programme to allow all Bermudians to benefit, regardless of public or private school education.
  • Pursuing additional options to expand access to funding for Bermudians to obtain tertiary education, such as the establishment of a hardship education fund, increased scholarships, and government-supported partnerships with financial institutions and the private sector.
  • Increasing articulation agreements with overseas universities to introduce additional pathways for students to transfer credits and study abroad.
  • Providing enhanced student support services for academic, social, and career counselling, ensuring each student has the resources needed to succeed. 

4. Supporting the Broader Economic Needs of the “Sandwich Generation”

Around the world and here in Bermuda, many people find themselves part of the "sandwich generation," juggling the demands of raising children, working, and caring for ageing parents, all while facing mounting financial pressures. 

We understand the difficulty this segment of the population faces and are committed to delivering solutions that help us all care for our loved ones, plan for our own futures, and support both the generations before and after us.

The PLP is committed to:

  • Construction of at least one new senior daycare facility to reduce the expenses of families providing care for their relatives during the workweek. 
  • Increasing the subsidised payment for caregivers on a tiered basis, based on the level of care required. 
  • Eliminating payroll tax for self-employed caregivers. 
  • Streamlining the approval for accessory dwelling units used for caregiving. 
  • Promoting personal, long-term financial security through financial literacy training and government-approved initiatives to encourage investment. 
  • Reviewing and expanding the child daycare allowance to account for families with multiple nursery-age children who require support. 

5. Ensuring Seniors Age With Dignity and Security

As Bermuda’s senior population continues to grow, we recognise the importance of going beyond basic support. Our commitment is to provide access to the resources, care, and opportunities needed to allow our seniors to age with dignity, security, and the quality of life they deserve. 

The PLP is committed to:

  • Expanding access to high-quality elder care services by enhancing existing care facilities and constructing new ones to meet the growing demand for senior care.
  • Maintaining our commitment to guaranteeing pension increases each year to match inflation rates, protecting seniors’ purchasing power.
  • Making homecare options more affordable and ensuring caregiver payments are timely so seniors can age comfortably and securely at home with dignity and proper care.

6.  Supporting Bermuda's Heritage, Artists, and Entertainers

Bermuda’s artists and entertainers play a crucial role in shaping our unique culture. Our Bermudian heritage, with its rich traditions and strong identity, is one of our most valuable treasures. It is essential to protect, celebrate, support, and pass this heritage on to future generations.

Our commitment is to continue preserving our heritage while ensuring it evolves and remains relevant in the modern digital age. By adopting new methods to share and highlight our traditions and creative contributors, we can keep our culture vibrant and deeply rooted in the identity of the Bermudian people.

The PLP is committed to:

  • Continuing to implement the initiatives identified in the National Cultural Heritage Policy, including archival preservation of important Bermudian literary, art, and digital works. 
  • Exploring ways to protect and safeguard national cultural icons and assets, such as the Gombeys, to ensure the right to maintain, control, protect, and develop intellectual property over cultural heritage and expressions.
  • Recognising November 4th on the national calendar to honour the first arrival of Portuguese and Azorean immigrants in Bermuda.
  • Enhancing support for artists and entertainers through scholarships, funding, the creation of more creative spaces across the island, and the celebration of their work.

7. Supporting Our Athletes and Sports

Sports play a vital role in any society, offering benefits that extend far beyond the joy of a game or activity. Participation in sports and recreational activities can have a lasting, positive impact on Bermudians at every stage of life.

For children and youth, sports foster confidence, resilience, and positive personal growth while helping to prevent antisocial behaviour. For adults and seniors, they provide opportunities to stay active, mentor the next generation, and build strong social connections. By empowering individuals, sports play a vital role in strengthening the fabric of our entire community.

The PLP is committed to: 

  • Providing increased funding to community clubs tied to commitments to social impact goals, improved governance, and programme development.
  • Implementing initiatives identified in the 2022 - 2027 National Sports Policy, including the requirement for NSGB Long Term Athlete Development Plans. 
  • Increasing support to adult and senior sporting and recreational bodies through funding or providing locations and resources.