Separate population policy not required, says gov't

But CoMin accepts recommendation to extend pre-school credit to children from the age of one

Government says a separate policy to tackle the Island's population challenges isn't required.

The Council of Ministers has responded to a Tynwald committee's report into rebalancing the Island's population, ahead of it being discussed at this month's sitting.

The Tynwald Select Committee on Population Rebalancing published its report earlier this year making 15 recommendations, which will be debated in Tynwald later this month.

Those recommendations included the introduction of shared parental leave, doing more to encourage the development of nightlife and reviewing maternity allowances.

However, the Council of Ministers has now published its response to the committee's findings, which include 11 amendments to the recommendations.

CoMin states a separate population policy isn't required, and that shared parental leave is already being dealt with under the new Employment (Amendment) Bill.

One of the four recommendations that's been accepted is the committee's call for pre-school credit to be extended to include children from the age of one.

The move mirrors changes being brought in in the UK in September 2025.

However, government warns while extending the credit may make childcare more affordable, the number of childcare places available may not meet the potential increased demand.

As a result, it says a stepped approach must be undertaken to ensure providers have capacity, as increasing demand without addressing capacity will exacerbate the issue.

The committee calls for government to facilitate and encourage the development of schemes to address gaps in lifestyle offering, but CoMin will instead ask Tynwald to note the work being done as part of the economic strategy and Manx Development Corporation.

The report also sought for the Department for Enterprise's Locate strategy to make efforts to redress population balance, but CoMin's amendment seeks for Tynwald to support efforts already being made.

The committee's original recommendations and government amendments will be considered when Tynwald sits from 20 June.