Government 'keep going to the cupboard for more cash', says MHK

Committee chair Jason Moorhouse criticises use of reserves

A backbench MHK has criticised Government falling back on reserves to balance the books.

Jason Moorhouse describes it as "constantly going back to the cupboard".

Mr Moorhouse chairs the Tynwald Economic Policy Review Committee which has reported on Treasury practices. 

He says the habit of effectively borrowing against the nation’s reserves is " wrong” and risks storing up serious problems for the future:

In December the Economic Policy Review Committee made 11 recommendations for change after reviewing the role of the Treasury, the structural deficit and the use of the reserves.

In response a Treasury spokesperson told Manx Radio: "The Treasury acknowledges the publication of the Economic Policy Review Committee’s (EPRC) report, which will be laid before Tynwald in January 2026.

"Over the course of this administration the Isle of Man Government has established an Operational Performance and Change Board to strategically analyse the size and scope of the public service and establish an efficiency and change programme driving at least £50 million in efficiency savings over the next five years.

"Quarterly reviews of the public service workforce have been made available demonstrating the significant investment in front line services and Treasury have been working with all departments to enable them to remain within their budgets, publishing quarterly management accounts.

"The increasing strength of the island’s reserves, now valued at over £2 billion, can be found on the Economic Dashboard.

"As the EPRC report is due to be debated at the March Tynwald sitting, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage. The Government will consider the committee’s views, review the evidence offered, and respond in full through the parliamentary process."