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Tynwald's 'confused message' over VAT cuts

Central government and the Island's 24 local authorities are being urged to work together, to deal with the problems which will be faced as a result of the 'VAT bombshell'.

Leader of Douglas Borough Council David Christian says the impact of the huge cut in government's VAT revenue from next April hasn't been put across forcibly enough by Chief Minister Tony Brown and his colleagues.

Mr Christian is concerned that costs currently borne by central government, in areas such as refuse collection, may be passed onto the Island's rate payers.

He also believes the message which came out of Tynwald last week was 'confused' (play audio file):

Local Government Minister John Shimmin spoke to representatives of all the Island's local authorities in a meeting at Ballakermeen High School last night.

And you can find out what he told them on this morning's Mandate, after the 8am news.

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