Isle of Man Cabinet Office News

Statement following the closure of Graih

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 10:39:46 GMT

Isle of Man Government would like to place on record its gratitude to the board, staff and all of the volunteers at Graih for their service and dedication, following news that the charity will be ceasing operations.

Graih has been instrumental in the creation and provision of a space for those in our society without, or in unsuitable or unstable, accommodation. Its Drop-in service and night shelter established a safe environment for vulnerable members of our community to receive support, assistance and advice to address wider issues relating to housing, work and mental health.

Government has worked closely with Graih providing support and funding, and will continue to assist the charity and their service users during the winding down period. Government is committed to ensuring every Island resident has a safe and secure home, and the work of our invaluable third sector is vital to reaching this goal.

Government is actively working with the third sector to engage another provider to continue the interim provision of an emergency shelter; details will be confirmed in the coming weeks. Conversations have begun to look at commissioning a permanent service to commence in 2023.

Government must continue off-Island engagement to drive growth and prosperity

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 16:57:55 GMT

The Chief Minister Alfred Cannan MHK has said that the Government must continue its programme of off-Island engagement to help drive economic growth and prosperity.

The Chief Minister’s remarks come ahead of a series of visits scheduled over the next few months which aim to strengthen relationships and raise the Island’s profile.

The Chief Minister said:

'Growing our economy is vital to funding high quality public services and maintaining our cherished quality of life. That is why securing a strong and diverse economy is one of the key pillars of our Island Plan.

'To deliver on this ambition we must engage, build relationships and market ourselves in the UK, Europe and further afield, ensuring we seize opportunities and play to our strengths. The rewards include attracting new workers, increased exports and growing inward investment. This won’t happen on its own, nor will it happen overnight. It will take a sustained long-term effort that we must commit to if we are to succeed.'

The Chief Minister will attend the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool next week and the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham in October.

Maintaining good links with neighbours is critical and the Government works with fellow Crown dependencies, devolved administrations and the UK and Irish governments in areas such as trade policy, anti-money laundering and the environment.

Later in October the Chief Minister will visit Brussels and in November he will take part in the 38^th summit of the British-Irish Council.

Further afield, there will be a visit to Bahrain in October at the invitation of the Crown Prince to explore opportunities for collaboration including in financial services. In November there will be a visit to South Africa at the request of local businesses following a successful trip there in March of this year.

The Island will also host a number of visits from different countries wishing to establish closer links with the Island and explore commercial opportunities. These have already included a visit from Barbados and plans for visits by representatives of the Philippines and the Cayman Islands are underway.

The Chief Minister said:

'I recognise the current cost of living crisis is affecting everyone across the Island, but if we are serious about securing our future then we must roll our sleeves up and set about strengthening existing relationships and forging new ones.

'We want to create an environment where Isle of Man companies can flourish and grow, and Government has a significant role to play in this.'

Conference engagement is measure of event’s success

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 11:33:38 GMT

The inaugural Isle of Man Government Conference drew more than 1,000 people through the doors of the Villa Marina in Douglas on Tuesday and Wednesday (20-21 September 2022).

A range of presentations, panel discussions and question-and-answer sessions took place over the two days, enabling the event to fully live up to its billing as an opportunity for the Manx public to engage with political representatives on the big issues important to the future of our Island.

The main focus of the event was the Royal Hall, where Chief Minister Alfred Cannan MHK set the tone at the start of day one by delivering a key note speech on the 10-year Economic Strategy.

Setting a bold ambition to deliver prosperity, growth and security for the Island, the strategy aims to grow the economy to £10 billion by 2032 while creating 5,000 new jobs.

A lively panel discussion followed the Chief Minister’s address, prompting questions and feedback from attendees. An online consultation on the Economic Strategy remains open until midnight on Friday 30 September for anyone who would like to have their say.

Further sessions and debate followed in the Royal Hall, covering: climate change and the future of energy; healthcare provision; education, skills and development; sustainable finances; business growth; housing, communities and infrastructure; the built environment reform and brownfield regeneration.

Elsewhere in the venue, the Villa Cinema hosted spotlight sessions by a range of Government departments and agencies, as well as a panel discussion on taxation and the opportunity to present questions to the Chief Minister.

The event overall included contributions from experts in a variety of fields from both on and off-Island. This included Chief Executive at the UK’s Northern Powerhouse Partnership Henri Murison, who joined the event’s final panel session on the built environment and brownfield regeneration.

The foyer and upstairs landing area were both bustling with activity throughout the two days with opportunities to explore the work of specific departments, speak to senior officers and offer views on the how priorities should stack up for the current administration.

Reflecting on the event, the Chief Minister said:

‘I’d like to sincerely thank everyone who attended and participated in the conference for their contributions. The Council of Ministers recognises and values the importance of collaborating in different ways as we progress with Our Island Plan, and this event marks an important development as it’s something that’s not been tried before.

‘What’s crucial now is for me to discuss with colleagues the clear themes that surfaced during the event and the feedback supplied more generally. We will then determine how we can use this information to help us take sure steps going forward and build a secure, vibrant and sustainable future for the Island.

He added:

‘As the dust settles we will reflect on all aspects of the conference and how we can do things better in terms of content, format and timings. I spoke to lots of attendees regarding their reaction, but I’d still like to hear more from people on what they thought worked and how it may be improved in future years.’

For conference reaction, feedback and suggestions, take part in the online survey.

Thanks go to sponsors and fringe event hosts Capital Group International, Deloitte, MTG, Chamber of Commerce, Best Energy Solutions, Construction Isle of Man, Gef and the Energy Sustainability Centre.

Government launches Community Warm Spaces Fund

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 09:09:49 GMT

Government has launched a ‘£100,000 Community Warm Spaces Fund’ as part of the package of support measures aimed to help the Island’s community with the rising costs of living.

The fund, administered by the Manx Lottery Trust, will enable the third sector, charities, local authorities and community groups such as organisations, clubs and associations to apply for grants to increase the provision of warm and welcoming spaces for the community this winter.

The aim is that these warm spaces will provide a welcoming, safe place for the community to come together and socialise, while helping to lessen the burden of energy costs at home.

Minister for the Cabinet Office, Kate Lord-Brennan MHK said:

‘We’re all aware of the rising costs of living, especially with energy bills and the impact this will have over the winter. This fund will help various organisations provide welcoming spaces for the community to access warmth, social interaction and activities over the autumn and winter.

She added:

‘It is important that we, as an Island, pull together and our aim is that the fund will empower our local communities to support each other.’

Any organisation looking to offer warm spaces such as drop-in sessions in public buildings can apply for funding ranging from £300 up to £2,500 through the Manx Lottery Trust from 1 October 2022 to 1 April 2023.

Trevor Butler, Chief Operating Officer of the Manx Lottery Trust added:

‘Having worked closely with local groups across the Island, I know many are wanting to do their bit and help provide some support over the winter for those who are worried about the increasing costs. This grant will help them be able to do this.

‘I encourage any Island charity, voluntary or community organisation, or local authority that already runs activities and wishes to do more or is considering offering a ‘warm space’, to get in touch and apply for this grant. These spaces will give people the opportunity to stay warm where required, but also to meet others and participate in community activities.’

Full information on the grant will be available on the Manx Lottery Trust website.

Labour market report: August 2022

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 12:20:00 GMT

The latest labour market report, compiled and published by the Statistics Isle of Man team at the Cabinet Office, shows the number of people registered unemployed was 313 for August 2022.

The figure increased by 11 persons from the previous month (July 2022), and has decreased by 82 persons compared to the same month last year (August 2021).

The unemployment rate for August 2022 is 0.7%, remaining the same as the previous month.

Read a summary and download the full report

Rob Callister MHK appointed to the Council of Ministers

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 13:49:24 GMT

Rob Callister MHK has been appointed to the Council of Ministers and will serve as Minister for Health and Social Care, with Lawrie Hooper MHK becoming Minister for Enterprise.

Tim Johnston MHK will take over from Mr Callister as the Chair of Manx Utilities, subject to the approval of Tynwald.

Mr Callister’s appointment follows the departure of Tim Crookall MHK as Minister for Enterprise in July. The Chief Minister Alfred Cannan MHK has been serving as Enterprise Minister on an interim basis.

The Chief Minister said:

“This Government has an ambitious agenda to deliver better health and social care services for our community. We are making progress on this journey, but there is some distance still to go. Rob will bring a fresh perspective to the Council of Ministers where he can draw on his experience from serving in a number of departments over the past six years, including the Department of Health and Social Care, and most recently from his time as Chair of Manx Utilities.

“As well as reforming health and social care, Government also has a significant journey over the next decade and beyond to implement a new economic strategy for the Island. This is vital if we are to ensure continued prosperity for our people. The Department for Enterprise has a key role to play in this as an engine to drive economic growth. Lawrie spent five years as a Member of the Department and in appointing him as Minister we can draw on his wealth of experience and knowledge."

In other changes, David Ashford MHK has been appointed as Chair of the Planning Committee following the decision of Claire Christian MHK to step down from this position as well as her role as a Member of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.

Bank holiday for State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 10:45:37 GMT

Monday 19 September 2022 will be a bank holiday in the Isle of Man to mark the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Essential public services will continue to operate, however schools and government offices will close.

The Queen's State Funeral will be a unique moment and the bank holiday will allow individuals, businesses and other organisations to commemorate The Queen's reign, while marking the final day of the period of national mourning.

Lord of Mann to be proclaimed at Government House and on Tynwald Hill

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 17:09:45 GMT

His Majesty King Charles III will be proclaimed as Lord of Mann at Government House at 12 noon on Sunday 11 September 2022.

The Proclamation will be read by the Lieutenant Governor, His Excellency Lieutenant General Sir John Lorimer.

Whilst the public are able to attend, regrettably there is only limited on-site car parking at Government House.

Therefore, the public are instead encouraged to attend the second Proclamation Ceremony in St John’s at 11 am on Friday 16 September 2022. The second Proclamation will be made from Tynwald Hill, the ancient seat of the Kings and Lords of Mann. Following this, a resolution of loyalty and condolence will be put before a sitting of Tynwald Court in the Royal Chapel.

This ceremony is based on the one held at St John’s in February 1952 to proclaim Queen Elizabeth II, and is similar in outline to the normal Tynwald Day ceremony. It will begin with a short act of worship in the Royal Chapel. The actual Proclamation will take place on Tynwald Hill and the sitting will conclude back in the Royal Chapel.

The public are welcome to witness the proceedings on the Hill. Sound amplification will be put in place as far as possible in the time available. The event will be broadcast on Manx Radio and live-streamed online. There will be no grandstand seating.

Office-holders who formed part of the processions at the most recent Tynwald Day will be contacted by the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office with detailed instructions.

Island enters period of national mourning

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 14:13:23 GMT

The Isle of Man has entered a period of national mourning following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

National mourning is a time for reflection in response to The Queen’s death, which will continue until the end of the day of Her Majesty’s state funeral, later this month.

Although not specific to the Isle of Man, the UK Government has issued guidance on matters such as the flying of flags, events, floral tributes, and books of condolence, which may be of use to individuals and organisations.

There is no obligation to suspend business or to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures, or to close entertainment venues during the national mourning period. This is at the discretion of individual organisations.

Flags at Government buildings are flying at half-mast and organisations wishing to pay their respects may wish to do the same. Further details on the flying of flags will be issued in due course.

Anyone wishing to pay their respects with a floral tribute to The Queen can place flowers on the green at Tynwald Hill in St John’s against the wall of the processional walkway facing the main road.

The Isle of Man Government respectfully asks that those wishing to leave floral tributes remove any plastic wrapping and non-organic materials and that items such as candles, cards or gifts are not left on the green.

Her Majesty The Queen was the Patron and supporter of many charities and organisations and anyone wishing to leave a donation can find details online.

Messages of condolence to the Royal Family can be sent online.

His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor has opened a book of condolence at Government House in Onchan. It is available to the public from 9am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday apart from between 11am and 1.30pm this Sunday 11 September.

Statement from the Lieutenant Governor

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 20:12:43 GMT

I know that the Isle of Man shares with me its profound sadness at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Lord of Mann. I shall be sending a message of condolence from the Island to the Royal Family.

Chief Minister pays tribute to The Queen’s life of service and dedication

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 20:12:23 GMT

The Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, Alfred Cannan MHK, has paid tribute to a life of service and dedication following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The Chief Minister said:

"We are all deeply saddened to learn of the death of Her Majesty The Queen. Throughout her long reign, The Queen – our Lord of Mann – has been a beacon of strength and stability, of dependability and continuity. She led a life dedicated to the service of her people, setting an example for us all.

"On behalf of the Government and people of the Isle of Man, I extend my sincerest condolences to the Royal Family at this sad time."

Results of 2021 earnings survey

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 11:57:13 GMT

Median earnings for a full time employee in 2021 were £613 per week, according to the Isle of Man Earnings Survey Report 2021.

The annual survey by Government collects information about the distribution of earnings in the Isle of Man, including median or average earnings by sector, contract types, and gender.

A total of 819 employers took part in the 2021 survey, and 2,507 employees responded.

Key results from the survey include:

Median gross weekly pay of full-time employees was £613, compared to £611 in 2020
Full-time employees worked an average of 37.7 hours per week, including 0.8 hours of overtime
Overtime, incentive pay and shift premiums made up 6.2% of employees' gross weekly earnings, up from 5.4% in 2020
Median earnings were 0.3% higher than the median United Kingdom
10.1% of employees in 2021 earned less than the Isle of Man Living Wage, down from 10.7% in 2020
72% of the randomly selected sample worked full time, 21% worked part time and 7% had zero-contracted hours

Full results of the survey.

Tributes paid to Major Charles Wilson

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 16:53:25 GMT

The Chief Minister Alfred Cannan MHK has led tributes from the Government following the death of Major Charles Wilson.

The Chief Minister said:

'A man of integrity and principle, Major Wilson was a highly respected figure in our community and beyond. Charles enriched Island life and touched so many through his work and the causes he championed.

'Selfless and driven, Charles was proud to call the Isle of Man his home. The Island has lost a true gentlemen in every sense of the word. Our thoughts are with Charles’s wife Ann and his family at this difficult time.'

Following a career in the British Army, Major Wilson held a number of charitable and civic roles. Major Wilson was an honorary colonel of the Isle of Man Army Cadet Force. He also chaired the Isle of Man branch of the Royal British Legion, playing a leading role in the annual Poppy Appeal which has seen the Island win the Poppy Appeal trophy on 42 occasions.

No stranger to public service, Major Wilson served as Chair of the Island’s Armed Forces Day Committee between November 2017 and February 2021 and he was a member of the Public Services Commission between 2007 and 2021.

Minister Kate Lord-Brennan MHK, Chair of the Public Services Commission, said:

'Highly regarded, Major Wilson was renowned for his energy and passion. He was a man of action who got things done. Charles was thoroughly committed to the Isle of Man and an inspiration to many. Our Island has lost someone very special indeed.'

Diane Kelsey MLC, the Isle of Man’s Armed Forces Champion, said:

'Charles was a true champion of the armed forces community on the Island and will be sorely missed by everyone.'

In recognition of his service to the Isle of Man, armed forces personnel, veterans, and military charities, Major Wilson was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at last year’s Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards for Excellence.

Statement: July Inflation Report – Sea Travel Figures

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 09:29:57 GMT

The Cabinet Office confirms that sea travel figures provided in the July 2022 Inflation Report are correct and have been calculated in line with established methodology.

The introduction to the report clearly highlights that the unusual figure is due to the data being collected during a high demand period. Recognising this, the report also states what inflation would be without transport fees.

The July inflation figure has been calculated in the same way as in previous reports, dating back to 2018. It uses a methodology that was devised in consultation with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, with data provided by them.

A government spokesperson said:

‘Government firmly rejects the assertion that the method used to calculate these figures is misleading.’

Inflation Report: July 2022

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 14:21:20 GMT

The latest inflation report, compiled and published by the Statistics Isle of Man team at the Cabinet Office, shows inflation stood at 10.8% for July 2022.

A summary and the full report are available online.

Public Health launches long-term programme for improving health and wellbeing

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 15:16:02 GMT

To help shape and develop the best policies for health and wellbeing on the Island, a programme has begun collecting data and opinions from the public and the third sector.

Public Health Isle of Man will be leading on a national Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) Programme. The JSNA is split in to chapters and for 2022-23 the programme will focus on two of these, ‘Starting well/Developing well’ and ‘Ageing well’.

For these chapters information will be gathered on several topics including adverse childhood experiences, physical and mental health, isolation and loneliness, housing and mobility.

The JSNA hopes to gather information about local health needs by looking at the impact of our socio-economic, cultural and environmental conditions. These factors are known as ‘Wider Determinants of Health’.

This is a ‘health in all policies’ approach – and will mean that the data collected locally will be used to make recommendations for improvements to ensure our services address local needs.

It will also take in to account the changing need in how health and care services are to be delivered in the future, moving to a whole systems approach that’s largely preventative and addresses wider determinants of health in communities.

The programme will be reviewed annually to re-focus on prioritised topics for that period.

Head of Health Intelligence at Public Health Isle of Man, Madeleine Sayle said:

‘It has long been a goal of ours to launch a solid Joint Strategic Needs Assessment Programme in the Isle of Man. Although we have been collecting data and using that to help inform new policies for a number of years, the JSNA will give us the foundation to address the core health and wellbeing needs of the population and provide the evidence-base for decision makers.

She continued:

‘Health and social care services are only a small part of what affects our health. Outside factors such as living and working conditions, social and community networks and individual lifestyle factors are major contributors to our wellbeing. Using a ‘health in all policies’ approach and involving everyone early on in the process, will enable us to tackle the issues that contribute to the health and wellbeing of Island residents.’

For more information on the JSNA Programme or email publichealth@gov.im

Government making good progress on further cost of living support

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 17:01:00 GMT

The Chief Minister Alfred Cannan MHK has said that good progress is being made on a package of measures to provide additional support to people and the economy in the face of growing cost of living pressures.

Last week Government announced a further £2.8 million in support for those most at risk of cost of living pressures which came in addition to £6.3 million in support announced earlier in the year.

Commenting following a meeting of the Council of Ministers and discussions with Tynwald members earlier today, the Chief Minister said:

“I want to reassure the public and the business community that Government is aware of the anxiety many are experiencing over the rising cost of living, especially concerns around energy price increases due this winter.

“Government is making good progress on finalising a package of measures to support our people through the winter months and into 2023. There is however more work to be done. The Council of Ministers will meet again on Monday 22 August and I hope to announce our winter support package on Thursday 25 August.”

The Chief Minister continued:

“I have today written to the President of Tynwald on behalf of the Council of Ministers to request that he consider calling an extraordinary sitting of Tynwald on Tuesday 13 September. This will enable Tynwald to discuss the cost of living pressures and for Government to set out its response.”

Labour market report: July 2022

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 09:27:07 GMT

The latest labour market report, compiled and published by the Statistics Isle of Man team at the Cabinet Office, shows the number of people registered unemployed was 302 for July 2022.

The figure increased by 17 persons from the previous month (June 2022), and has decreased by 143 persons compared to the same month last year (July 2021).

The unemployment rate for July 2022 is 0.7%, remaining the same as the previous month.

Read a summary and download the full report

Chair appointed to lead review into pandemic response

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 15:00:21 GMT

Kate Brunner QC has been appointed Chair of the forthcoming independent review into the Isle of Man Government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Due to commence later this year, the review will cover the period from December 2019 to the end of September 2021, assessing decisions made by the Government during that time and identifying any lessons to be learnt.

It will also deliver recommendations to ensure that this knowledge is fed into current working practices, and to improve the way Government deals with any future emergency response to a pandemic.

In line with the Terms of Reference agreed by Tynwald in April, Ms Brunner QC is tasked with delivering a final report to Tynwald by 31 December 2023.

Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Jane Poole-Wilson MHK chaired the panel which made the appointment. She said:

‘This excellent appointment is the result of a rigorous selection process, and interviews taking place with six high-quality candidates. I’m delighted that Ms Brunner QC has accepted the role of Chair and look forward to her visiting the Island next month to begin work in preparation for the forthcoming review.

‘The attributes and experience she brings to the role will ensure the review is undertaken in a detailed and methodical manner. I’m confident that the way the Isle of Man Government responded to unprecedented circumstances as the result of global pandemic will be examined with precision and care, and will lead to important results to help inform decision-making in the future.’

Called to the bar in 1997, Ms Brunner QC possesses long-standing experience in a range of different areas including criminal law, healthcare law and public law. As Leader of the Western Circuit, she is elected to lead 2,000 barristers in one of the six legal areas or ‘circuits’ of England and Wales, and has led reviews into the closure of courts, and safety in courts during the pandemic.

Ms Brunner QC currently holds two part-time judicial positions in crime and public law, and also chairs the pharmaceutical regulator’s Appeal Board. This work will not affect her role as Chair of the independent review and delivery of the report to Tynwald.

Referring to her appointment, she said:

'I look forward to leading a comprehensive review into the Manx government's handling of the pandemic. This will be an entirely independent process, with a focus on drawing out lessons to be learned so that the island can become even more resilient to any future pandemics or similar crises.

‘I recognise the importance of hearing from individuals and groups about how they were affected, as well as investigating government procedures and decision-making. The first steps will involve recruiting a team and setting the methodology, and the anticipated timetable of evidence-gathering will be published as soon as possible'

Labour market report: June 2022

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 11:56:24 GMT

The latest labour market report, compiled and published by the Statistics Isle of Man team at the Cabinet Office, shows the number of people registered unemployed was 285 for June 2022.

The figure increased by 21 persons from the previous month (May 2022), and has decreased by 210 persons compared to the same month last year (June 2021).

The unemployment rate for June 2022 is 0.7%, an increase of 0.1% on the previous month.

Read a summary and download the full report.