Episodes
The chief constable has rebuked suggestions that making armed police officers more visible on the Isle of Man indicates a shift to so-called 'woke' policing.The comments from Russ Foster come in response to opinions shared by a former MHK on Manx Radio's Perspective programme on Sunday (14 September).Chris Robertshaw said that Mr Foster had brought 'the UK mindset to the Isle of Man'.Siobhán Fletcher has this special Newscast.
A local football club is appealing for help from the community to build new changing rooms. Pulrose United FC has been in 'negotiations' with Douglas Council for a new facility after its former building was condemned and demolished and a temporary site put in its place. The changing rooms are currently owned by the local authority, but it's hoping to take on the lease under 'South Douglas Playing Fields Association' in partnership with another club to help resolve the issue.Paul Henry, life member of Pulrose United, says the project went out to tender but these came back 'astronomically' hi...
A Ramsey Commissioner has come under fire over comments she made on social media.In reply to a Facebook post about US political commentator Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead last week, Elizabeth Shimmin wrote he should "burn in hell".Her remarks drew criticism from MHK Stu Peters, who described them as "ignorant, crass and unnecessary".Ramsey Town Commissioners have said they’re aware of the matter and are making enquiries.The matter has been brought to the attention of Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper.He says politicians have to remember that even on their personal accounts, they’re representing the...
Are government's departments overspending or underfunded?That's the question being raised by Speaker of the House of Keys and Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Juan Watterson.It's after Treasury revealed four government departments are already projecting overspends in the first quarter of this financial year.Mr Watterson's been speaking to Amy Griffiths:
Treasury Minister Alex Allinson discusses the government’s quarterly accounts, showing budget pressures across several departments.
With a brand new, multi-million pound facility to support people with cancer and their loved ones just weeks away from completion, we've been invited for a look around the centre.We speak to the people from the charities that have made it possible:
As thirteen Manx landmarks are given protected status, we hear from the DEFA Minister.Clare Barber tells Amy Griffiths how they choose which ones go on the list and how important it is to get the decisions right:
A brand-new Island business is hoping to break down barriers by transforming printed materials into formats that work for people with a visual impairment.Dot & Type offers professional braille transcription of any printed material including menus, bills, letters, and documents, and also has a line of customisable greeting cards.Founder Tasha Molyneux-Smith told Siobhán Fletcher more.
A group of talented young musicians from the Island are set to perform at the Royal Albert Hall later this year.Scran, whose members are between the ages of 13 and 17, is described as a 'Manx supergroup' and is heading to the Music for Youth Proms in November. The event will feature more than 1,200 young musicians from across the UK and further afield.But to get there - sponsors are being sought.In this edition of Newscast, Christy DeHaven speaks to Scran members Alyth Braithwaite and Daniel Cross and Dr Chloe Woolley, Culture Vannin's Manx Music Development Officer.
An MHK says the current policies for whistleblowers in government are still "quite weak".Onchan member Julie Edge chaired a committee looking into whistleblowing during the last administration.She's recently met with the chief minister to highlight her concerns.Ms Edge has been speaking to Manx Radio's Sian Cowper
A conference regarding financial crime saw a turnout of around 600 professionals at the Villa Marina in Douglas.Designed to showcase international developments and emerging risks, the Countering Financial Crime Conference 2025 featured guest speakers and panels.The event comes ahead of the Island's upcoming MONEYVAL assessment, which gets underway next year.In this edition of Newscast, Siobhan Fletcher speaks to the Head of the Isle of Man’s AML/CFT Policy Office, Jilly Christian, and Justice and Home Affairs Minister Jane Poole-Wilson.
The majority of people attending a public meeting to discuss proposals for an offshore windfarm off the Island's east coast were against the plans.It was organised by Garff Commissioners about the Mooir Vannin Offshore Windfarm proposal by Ørsted.The local authority was using the meeting to gauge the views of residents before submitting its own response to the consultation and submitting its views on the application.Ørsted has been working on the project since 2015 and under the current plans could see 87 turbines stretch across the east coast of the Island from Maughold to Onchan.There wer...
A local dad who campaigned for new equipment in Governor's Hill play area says it's 'great' that Douglas Council has started to invest in it but feels more needs to be done.Richard Little started a campaign to put pressure on the local authority to resolve some longstanding issues at the park including problems with the flooring, improving picnic benches and routine maintenance. The council has since promised funding for the play area to refurbish the facility in 2027 and has also implemented a 'five year play area masterplan' to cover all playgrounds in the capital. Mr Little says response...
Further calls for better apprenticeship support have been heard at a Construction Skills Conference held on the Island.Construction Isle of Man wants a full review of changes to the way apprenticeships are funded on the Isle of Man.Amy Griffiths attended an event, dubbed an 'emergency conference', at the Comis Hotel to find out more:
Female runners on the Island have been telling Manx Radio about their experiences of catcalling and harassment.It's after a study showed that more than two-thirds of women in north-west England had dealt with such incidents whilst out exercising.In this edition of Newscast, Lewis Foster speaks to the founder of the all-female running club Run Like a Girl, Emily Knop, and fellow club member Chloe Venus.
It's hoped the Island's dental waiting list will be almost eliminated by the end of this financial year.Manx Care has agreed new contracts with its dental providers enabling them to take on more NHS patients.It's expected to cost around an extra £700,000 each year to incentivise the providers to continue the work.Amy Griffiths has been finding out more:
This week marks Rainbow Baby Week on the Isle of Man.This year's theme is 'Community Matters', in the hope of highlighting the importance of strong support networks for families navigating pregnancy after loss.Amy Griffiths has been speaking to Manx Care's Maternity Bereavement Lead, Dianne Ruberry, about what a rainbow baby is:
A Manx charity that provides pet food for owners who're facing hard times says demand has sky-rocketed recently.The Pet Food Pantry says it's been getting requests from 'eight to ten' new users a week.The organisation was established in 2023 in response to the rising cost of living to help owners keep their existing family pets when faced with giving them up.Founder Helen MacAffer says the need for donations right now is critical.
How can charities protect themselves from rising cyber threats?We speak to Andy Starr, Managing Director of Just Technology Group, about the company’s decision to offer free security software to Isle of Man charities.He explains how the tool works, why ransomware attacks are becoming more common, and what organisations can do to strengthen their digital resilience.
It's hoped a Construction Skills Conference being held later this week will help bring together construction industry professionals from all disciplines and walks of life with budding apprentices.
Here we meet 18-year old Kimi Gautschi who is on the Island for a six-week placement, working alongside Head Golf Professional at the Comis Hotel and Golf Resort Stephen Crooks.
To coincide with National Allotment Week Simon Richardson headed west to meet up with 'allotmentarian' Pete Heyes at his plot near Peel, to discover the allure of the allotment.
The health minister says the Isle of Man would probably match the UK when dealing with the immigration health surcharge. Currently, the fee across is £1,035 per year for adults and £776 per visa for those aged 18 and under. Immigration Lawyer Maria Bridson says the surcharge might have a negative impact on the number of applications to the Island, but for businesses, it's just an additional cost when recruiting someone outside the common travel area.
Isle of Pride is officially back.Three years after wrapping up, a new board has been formed to take over the running of the charity going forward.It stopped operating in 2022 after unplanned protests at its last Pride event and also amid questions about LGBTQ+ representation on its previous committee.New director, James Cherry, has been telling Amy Griffiths more:
The Iconic Victory Cafe on the slopes of Snaefell at the Bungalow has been put up for sale by owners Benn and Vicki Quirk.Simon Richardson's been speaking to Vicki to find out more.
The Chief Executive of Isle of Man-based Conister Bank has written to the UK Chancellor ahead of the Autumn Budget Statement, calling for urgent and targeted support to unlock the growth potential of Britain’s small and medium-sized enterprises.In an open letter addressed to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Douglas Grant highlighted research from parent company Manx Financial Group which found nearly one in three SMEs in the United Kingdom have had to halt or suspend parts of their operations due to a lack of finance.The study also found that one in 10 businesses had been unable to access funding ...
A new campaign is hoping to raise awareness about the dangers of becoming a so-called 'Money Mule'.This is when someone receives money from a third party in their bank account and transfers it to another, or takes it out in cash and gives it to someone else, and then gets paid a commission for it.It's a method of money laundering and vulnerable people are often targeted by scammers and organised crime groups in person or over social media and email.The new awareness project is a collaboration between the Isle of Man Bankers Association, Financial Crime Partnership, Isle of Man Constabulary,...
A South African couple is hosting a fundraising for the Royal National Lifeboat Institute this weekend. On 4 August 1991, Charmaine and David De'ath were on a Greek cruise ship, MTS Oceanos, just off the Wildcoast in South Africa when it began to sink.
The Dean of Cathedral Isle of Man has been targeted by hateful messages and phone calls after displaying a Palestinian flag on the cathedral grounds.Nigel Godfrey says the flag was raised to show solidarity with the civilians caught up in the conflict in Gaza and suffering from starvation.Within days, however, the flag - one of many artefacts on display in the gardens - was stolen.
The two MHKs for Onchan have hit back at the village's local authority after it cancelled its quarterly meetings due to two board members being civil servants.MHK Rob Callister, who’s also the Chair of Public Service Commission, says he is ‘extremely disappointed’ at the decision.It was agreed by the board because members Scott Wilson and Gabriella Corkish felt they would be going against the civil servant's code of conduct and would be 'conflicted' on a number of matters. A vote was held and it was agreed by four votes to three to cease holding them and instead contact the representatives ...