Survey says people ‘satisfied’ with OBA performance

Premier Craig Cannonier’s new government is backed by seven out of ten people, according to a new survey.

A total of 69 per cent said they were satisfied with the performance of the OBA.

But the figures show a marked difference in the views of black people and white people — 55 per cent of black people surveyed gave a positive rating compared to 93 per cent of white people.

The survey also found that people are still worried about the economy – and fears over unemployment have risen.

A total of 47 per cent of those interviewed said the economy was the the greatest challenge – down one per cent on the previous survey – while those citing unemployment as a worry has gone up seven points from 12 to 19 per cent.

But the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI), which measures the economic mood of the country, has risen to 96 – up eight points on the last survey.

The index hit an all time low just six months ago and now stands at its highest level since 2007, before the recession began to bite.

The CCI was set at a benchmark of 100 when it was introduced in 1998 and is repeated in each quarterly survey to track changes in confidence.

Nearly a quarter of survey respondents, however, believe the economy has worsened over the last year (24 per cent) although that figure is down seven points on the previous survey.

And exactly a quarter of people in the poll think the economy has shown signs of improvement – up 12 per cent on the last survey.

The Total Research Associates survey added: “Residents’ future outlook for the economy have held steady this quarter as almost one half continue to feel the economy will be in better shape in 12 months.”

A total of 48 per cent – up one per cent on the last quarter’s figures – believe the island is on the road to recovery.

The report said: “This positive outlook is a reversal from six months ago, when residents were most likely to expect the economy to worsen.”

The survey interviewed 404 Bermuda residents between June 4 and 19. Results are accurate to within plus or minus 4.9 per cent.