The Council of Ministers has published its latest Update Report on Inward Migration on to the Register of Business, for debate by Tynwald in July.
The report outlines progress since the October 2024 debate and addresses the evolving global labour market and pressures facing the Isle of Man.
Following the statement made by the Cabinet Office Minister, Mr David Ashford MBE MHK, in Tynwald in May, the Update on Inward Migration sets out the Government’s commitment to continue to put Manx workers first, attracting more workers to the Island only where skills gaps cannot be met within the resident population.
Bringing skilled workers across through inward migration will, however, continue to play a vital role in providing skills that the labour market does not have access to, and in replacing workers leaving the workforce – alongside investment in upskilling Isle of Man workers and supporting residents into work. The Report also recognises that inward migration must be managed so that the level of inward migration meets, but does not exceed, that necessary to support the Island.
The Island’s safety and security is of highest importance in how the system operates, and the Report repeats the Government’s commitment to prioritising security across all immigration routes and ensuring the integrity of the Common Travel Area. The Report sets out a forward plan to manage inward migration in a safe and sustainable manner, while acknowledging the necessity of attracting overseas workers to supplement the resident workforce, and appreciating the economic and social contributions they make to the Isle of Man.
The forward work programme set out in the report is guided by overarching policy principles, which Tynwald is invited to approve in July:
- The Isle of Man Government recognises the need to continue to pursue appropriate inward migration measures to attract workers to the Island to meet our economic needs, alongside investment in upskilling Isle of Man workers and supporting more Isle of Man residents into work
- In doing so, the Isle of Man Government should continue to:
- Maintain security of the Island and the integrity of the Common Travel Area as a top priority, continuing to adapt in response to evolving risks and seeking to minimise abuse of the system
- Prioritise Isle of Man workers
- Respond to the needs of employers where skills cannot be found on Island
- Welcome those coming to the Isle of Man to work through the work permit system and immigration visa routes, when employers cannot find the skills they need on Island
