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Gov't could employ more if out-of-work number grows

Unemployment has more than doubled in a year

The treasury minister has suggested government could start directly employing more people, if unemployment rates on the Island get too high.

The official number of people out of work is already more than double what it was this time last year, and Alf Cannan admitted that figure could rise further as the Manx Earnings Replacement Allowance (MERA) and other government support schemes come to an end.

The number of people unemployed currently stands at around 800.

Alf Cannan says contingency plans are in place:

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