Young teacher's struggle to make ends meet

Teacher tells Manx Radio living here is an 'illogical choice financially'

A teacher on the Isle of Man has told Manx Radio she's had to start using the foodbank and is considering stopping paying into her pension to make ends meet. 

The woman, who wants to remain anonymous, says the Island is a lovely place to live but is an 'illogical choice financially' and is reluctantly not far from joining those leaving the profession.
 
Last month the education minister confirmed 22 teachers had resigned and are due to leave their positions in August.

The teacher told Manx Radio it is near impossible to survive on the Island as a single mother.

Having been encouraged to relocate here, with a recruitment package, she has to be resident for 10 years to qualify for social housing and five years for any Employed Persons Allowance.

She says with rent of £950 a month, £800 for childcare and surging energy costs she's finding the Island more expensive than London as a place to live.

Two years ago she had to turn to the Benevolent Fund from her union and also took out a loan.

If she stays on the Island she says she has no chance of getting on the property ladder and has told Manx Radio she can't imagine how difficult it is for younger teachers who are earning less than her.

She stresses she is not frivolous but is barely able to keep a roof over her head and food on the table. Others she knows, she says, are in a similar situation.

Manx Radio has invited the Department of Education, Sport and Culture to respond.