The Chief Minister, Alfred Cannan MHK, has said keeping the Island safe and secure is a key priority for the Government over the coming 12 months.
The Chief Minister's remarks came as he opened the third Isle of Man Government Conference taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Comis Hotel.
Progress or regress
The Chief Minister sought to refocus on the demographic challenge impacting on many western democracies. He said:
'The Isle of Man, just like many other developed countries, is a population with a declining birth rate. Our birth rate is simply too low and without significant changes to productivity or without attracting new workers, the cost of delivering health and social care alongside pensions will dominate the public purse for years to come.
'Retaining our young people and developing the right skills on Island is one part of the equation, but there is no question that we also need additional skilled and unskilled resources to maintain and grow our economy.
'The right inward migration policies are necessary if we are to retain the attractiveness of the Island to modern business and indeed modern society.'
The Chief Minister told the audience that good progress was being made, with 1,300 more people in work since September 2021, contributing to the Island’s economy.
Migration and border security
Immigration and border security were also raised as issues of concern in the Chief Minister’s opening address.
Highlighting that the Isle of Man remained the safest place to live and work in the British Isles, the Chief Minister discouraged complacency, saying that in an ever-changing world, the safety and security of the Island and its people was not something to be taken for granted.
Closer attention to the Island’s immigration processes and policy, along with the need to know more about those coming to the Island in order to help prevent crime, were two areas the Chief Minister said the Government was actively working to strengthen.
The Chief Minister emphasised that the Island’s immigration policy must ensure the right balance of continuing to welcome people who can contribute to the Island’s economy and society, while protecting the Isle of Man’s security.
Fiscal responsibility
Turning to fiscal responsibility, the Chief Minister spoke of the risk to Government’s medium term financial plan due to significant and repeated overspends on health and social care services. He said a turnaround plan for Manx Care was required, with urgent discussions underway.
Public service efficiency and reform would also see a renewed focus, with the Chief Minister announcing a target of at least £10 million in savings and efficiencies to commence in conjunction with next year’s Budget.
Concluding his opening remarks at the Conference, the Chief Minister made this commitment to the Manx people:
'Stability, security and safety will be our watchwords. I want you and your families to feel physically and environmentally safe, fiscally and economically safe and to be safe in the knowledge that despite the difficult challenges all around us we continue to make progress, working together, as a strong, stable and proud Island nation.'
