Work capability tests under the spotlight

Attempt to unpick Same Sex marriage bill also

The Treasury minister will face a raft of questions on the way work capability assessments are being carried out in the Island, when the House of Keys sits on Tuesday morning. 

Queries range from differences between the UK and Manx tests to the savings government has made in benefit payments since they began.

The UK's in-out EU referendum and Freedom of Information laws will also be raised at question time. 

Later in the sitting, Chief Minister Allan Bell will resist a series of amendments to the Same Sex Marriage Bill, which reaches the crucial clauses stage today.

Mr Bell has described amendments tabled by North Douglas MHK John Houghton as an attempt to derail the bill.

Mr Houghton's proposed changes would allow registrars to refuse to marry a same sex couple and allow teachers to opt out of teaching about same sex marriage.

He also wants to amend the Public Order Act, so those who oppose same sex marriage cannot be prosecuted for insulting, abusive or threatening words or behaviour, or be accused of an act causing harassment, annoyance, alarm or distress.

Other amendments will be tabled by MHKs Peter Karran and Leonard Singer.

Michael MHK Alf Cannan's Council of Ministers (Amendment) Bill, which would preclude MLCs from a vote for the next chief minister, will have its first reading.  

In a written question Leonard Singer wants detailed information on lump sum pension payments in the public sector over the past five years.

Legislative Council also sits today.

It too will hear questions on the controversial work capability tests and hear readings of three government bills.

Amendments will be tabled in LegCo to the Road Races Bill 2015, at its clauses stage.

You can hear coverage of question time in the House of Keys on Manx Radio 1368, the AM player on manxradio.com and via smart phone apps.

The sitting starts this morning at 10am.