Unanimous support for maiden statement
The 2017 Manx Budget has been unanimously approved by Tynwald.
Alf Cannan's first fiscal statement as Treasury Minister was passed after a debate lasting four and a half hours.
His budget set out a five year plan to rebalance the Island's finances, meeting expenditure with income and reducing reliance on reserves by 2020-21.
A decision to raise the personal taxation allowance for Manx residents by £2,000 to £12,500 was well received.
He styled it a boost for hard-working families and individuals, who have had to tighten their belts in recent years.
Child benefit is to rise by 2% and the state pension by 2.5%.
During the debate, several members raised concerns a static year for departmental spending would mean a cut in real terms - which could see further charges passed on to the public.
Chris Robertshaw said he was dismayed the budget contained no measures to means-test benefit claimants, nor to reform local government.
But Mr Cannan insisted it was a budget of optimism and confidence in the economy.
Just before winning the day, he summed-up:
Almost two tonnes of meat disposed of at Meat Plant this month
Date for first sailing to new Liverpool terminal still unknown
Charity's advice after 'near-fatal' Heroin overdoses
Financial discipline of 'utmost importance' says Cannan
Newson's owners 'giving up' and selling the building
Residents in Bride told to take their household waste to Andreas
