Episodes
People from a range of backgrounds are required to work together to make the Isle of Man Civil Defence Corps a success.That's the message from the emergency service which is currently recruiting for 'enthusiastic and dedicated' volunteers.An open day is being held at the Civil Defence Headquarters in Tromode this Wednesday (19 February) from 8pm.Siobhán Fletcher has been finding out more about the service from current volunteers Jim MacGregor, Richard Allen and Judith Bartram.
Peel Commissioners says it's 'disappointing' that the former cabinet office minister didn't speak to them about the amount of land zoned for residential development in the Draft North and West Area Plan.Kate Lord-Brennan, MHK for Glenfaba and Peel, who oversaw the plan until she resigned at the end of last year, said the local authority had submitted this land to the consultation. The local authority claims its submissions and responses are public, whilst Ms Lord-Brennan has stated she will be voting against it when it gets to Tynwald.Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking t...
The Children's Champion says the provision of services across the Island need to be 'good enough for one's own child'.Kerry Sharpe's second annual report, covering the period of April 2023-24, is to be debated in Tynwald this week.Within it, she makes seven recommendations; largely focussed on children with complex needs, young carers, and looked after children.Siobhán Fletcher has been taking a closer look and has this special Newscast.
Thousands of trees around the Island have been lost inrecent severe storms. It’s at a time when the Island is facing the loss of up to90% of its Elm and Ash stocks through disease.It’s a grim prospect and one which a local tree expertbelieves requires immediate action to prevent long-term environmental damage to the Island.Ben Brooker thinks a large-scale tree planting programmemust be progressed with some urgency.He’s been talking to Simon Richardson.
In a matter of days the Isle of Man Treasury was set to propose changes to the Manx State Pension, but this morning we're hearing there's been a change of plan.The so-called Manx Pension Guarantee would have seen those on the pension from 5 April 2019 onwards diverted away from the triple lock - starting this year.It proved to be one of the most contentious issues with members of the house of keys this week pushing to debate that decision separately from the Budget.So, instead, the Isle of Man Treasury will propose a 4.1 percent increase to both the basic Retirement Pension and Manx State P...
Should all the taxis on the Isle of Man be electric?That's the question government is asking, as it launches a new survey.The Climate Transformation Team wants to gather information about the feasibility of electrifying the Island's fleet.We hear from one driver who's sceptical about the move, and another whose already transitioned their whole fleet to EVs.
A 2000-year-old bronze spoon believed to have been used for ‘telling the future’ has been discovered on private land in Patrick, on the West Coast of the Isle of Man.The bronze spoon, dating to the Iron Age, was found by metal detectorist Rob Middleton on land owned by farmer, David Anderson. Similar artefacts have been found in Britain, Ireland and France, but this is only the 28th example discovered worldwide, and the first from the Isle of Man.Siobhán Fletcher caught up with Rob and Allison Fox, Curator for Archaeology for Manx National Heritage, to find out more.
A number of green lanes will be closed during the TT period this year to combat damage being caused by off-road bikers.The Department of Infrastructure has applied for temporary closures of a small number of routes between 23 May to 6 June.The lanes selected are on the uplands and are generally dead-ends that lead to areas of open hillside in the vicinity of the TT Course.Infrastructure Minister Dr Michelle Haywood - speaking live on Manx Radio Breakfast this morning - explained the move.
A new campaign spearheaded by Crimestoppers Isle of Man is hoping to put domestic abuse under the spotlight.The charity has joined forces with Victim Support and the police on a new campaign highlighting the various types and the signs to spot.The national campaign aims to reach people who have concerns about someone close to them who may be a victim.To find out more, Siobhán Fletcher caught up with Crimestoppers Chair Karen Ramsey, Detective Sergeant Emily Perkins, Detective Constable Becky Creer and Victim Support Chief Executive Lorna Trevethan.
Farmers on the Isle of Man are being encouraged to ask for help with loneliness and mental health issues that may arise while at work. It's as the Manx National Farmers Union (MNFU) observes 'Yellow Wellies Mind Your Head' campaign which focuses on tackling wellbeing issues in the agricultural sector.Starting today (Monday, 10 February) and taking place throughout this week, the 'Mind Your Head' campaign is designed to raise awareness around wellbeing and mental health in farming.To mark the occasion, the Manx National Farmers Union has launched a new group known as 'Greener Grass' to assis...
The treasury minister says his department's plan for a Manx Pension Guarantee has triggered a 'national debate' but UK press attention has confused matters.The measure, if approved by Tynwald, would mean the state pension - for those who retired after 2019 - would rise annually from April 2025 by either the preceding September’s figure for Manx CPI inflation or 2 percent, whichever is higher.It's a bid to try and maintain the National Insurance fund which forecasts suggest will be depleted by 2047.But in recent weeks a number of articles have appeared in the UK press stating that the Isle o...
An Onchan MHK says she has concerns about whether proposed changes to the Island's pension triple-lock comply with the Equality Act.Julie Edge is set to bring a motion to the House of Keys next week in a bid to separate the proposed changes from the rest of the budget process.On budget day, politicians vote for the entirety of the document, rather than individual elements.Ms Edge told Christian Jones more debate is needed by politicians over what she feels could amount to 'age discrimination'.
You may remember a couple of weeks ago we spoke to Brett, Patrick and Richard.They were about to set off on an adventure of a lifetime, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.It was all to raise money for Looky's Aid - a charity set up in memory of their son, brother and friend Lucas Martin.He was just 21 when he died suddenly of meningitis.They've now returned from Africa and have been telling Amy Griffiths how they got on:
The farming community is one that generally goes quietly about its critically important role. But, there are many issues which are making their work more challenging. Simon Richardson caught up with MNFU General Secretary, Sarah Comish, to find out more.
Manx Deaf Society puts spotlight on condition that affects 1 in 7 of us
Plans to increase the Island's Minimum Wage in two phases this year have been revised.The original proposal, announced last month, would have seen the rate increase from £11.45 per hour to £12.25 from 1 April, and then up to £13.05 from 1 October. Now, however that second planned uplift is to be put on hold.It means Tynwald will only be asked to approve the single increase up to £12.25 from April.The Department for Enterprise and Treasury says the decision to defer the second increase - which would've aligned the Minimum Wage with the Living Wage - follows feedback from industry and a range...
The chief minister says there 'clearly' needs to be a rethink on how policies and their impacts are communicated to the public.Alfred Cannan has been speaking to Manx Radio following this week's revelation of further cuts within Manx Care.In this Newscast he talks to Siobhán Fletcher about those cuts, government response and whether or not he'll be calling for the health minister to resign.
Manx Care has denied attempting to ‘gag’ its staff from speaking out over cuts being made in the health service.It says no specific directive has been issued instructing them not to discuss the current reduction in services.Earlier this week Douglas East MHK Joney Faragher had planned to ask an urgent question in the House of Keys about planned cuts to services. However this did not go ahead due to the absence of Health and Social Care Minister Claire Christian. Ms Faragher told Manx Radio the ‘information vacuum’ about off-Island surgery was ‘unforgivable’:
Manx Care says it's received additional funding from Treasury, allowing it to reinstate many planned procedures on Island over the next two months.The board says despite previous measures aimed at reducing spending, its costs continue to rise, and it now faces an overspend of £15m for the current financial year.Siobhán Fletcher sat down with Chief Executive Teresa Cope to find out more about the latest position, and how we got here.
As Manx Care faces allegations that it's cancelling or postponing appointments due to undeclared cuts, one parent says their child is being refused treatment at Alder Hey.It follows claims from one medical professional at Noble’s Hospital, who wants to remain anonymous, who told Manx Radio that the health body has 'requested that the Liverpool University Hospitals stop treating Isle of Man patients, except in an emergency, until the end of the financial year'.David O'Brien's twelve-year-old son recently injured his leg and had been enrolled on a research scheme to determine the best course ...
Uncertainty remains over the future of healthcare on the Island after a former health minister leaked an embargoed media release outlining plans to cut a number of services.The release was sent to the Island's media on 15 January with an embargo for the following day, but was recalled before the embargo lifted, with Manx Care stating the "implementation of the mitigations is being considered once again".The following week, Health Minister Claire Christian told Tynwald there were no cuts planned, but patients have since reported having appointments cancelled.Sian Cowper and Ben Hartley looke...
The former health and social care minister says government has ‘a lot of questions to answer’ after publishing details of apparent cuts being made to healthcare services.Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper told Manx Radio the Cannan administration is 'essentially holding a gun to the head of the Manx people' by sanctioning the rumoured health cuts.Siobhán Fletcher sat down with Mr Hooper to discuss the developing situation.
A Manx calligrapher has had her handiwork highlighted in a high-profile video posted by Manchester City.The Premier League side recently signed a contract with Norwegian Striker Erling Halaand, keeping him at the club until 2034.In the video announcement the 24-year-old can be seen writing a letter confirming that, as he says, he's "here to stay".But the words written on the page, in reality, were penned by the Isle of Man's own Emma Wilson, who now lives in Manchester.In this edition of Newscast, Emma tells Lewis Foster how she got into calligraphy, how the job came her way ... and how it ...
The treasury minister says a proposal to introduce a Manx Pension Guarantee is to give stability to the National Insurance Fund. Alex Allinson says through this process he hopes to drive consumer and business confidence and provide long term stability and credibility on the Isle of ManThe measure, if approved by Tynwald, would mean the Manx State Pension would rise annually from April 2025 by either the preceding September’s figure for Manx CPI inflation or 2%, whichever is higher.
A former MHK standing in the Local Authority Election in April says trust in politicians is 'more important now' than it ever has been. David Cretney is hoping to represent Douglas South for Douglas City Council and has housing, dog fouling and protecting public parks and spaces as the key topics on his manifesto.He believes his previous political experience will help him in the role of councillor if elected and is currently the first candidate to declare they are standing.Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him.
It wasn't just the storm causing headlines on the Isle of Man during the third week of 2025.If you missed any of the January Tynwald sitting, Phil Gawne takes you through the highlights.
Bulk shipping, fuel surcharges, minimum wage and disposal are the reasons for increases or introductory prices to get rid of electronic or electrical waste (WEEE) at amenity sites. So says the commercial manager of the company that has the tender to dispose of the items. Paul Corteen from Middle Park Recycling and Middle Park Metals says the pricing is due to changes in enforcement in the UK:
If you can - keep your pets indoors and avoid walks tomorrow.That's the advice from the ManxSPCA as Storm Éowyn heads towards the Island.It has issued guidance online for dogs, cats, birds, small pets and larger animals, including livestock.Krysia Boruch is from the charity, she's been speaking to Siobhán Fletcher.
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture has strengthened measures to prevent Foot and Mouth Disease from reaching the Island. It comes as Germany reported one confirmed case there last week. The department has updated legislation, which aligns with the UK, banning the commercial imports of cattle, sheep, pigs, deer, buffalo and their products. Although no cases have been reported in the British Isles this year, previous outbreaks of the disease in 2001 and 2007, led to millions of livestock animals being slaughtered and cost the public and private sectors billions of pounds.In t...
If plans are approved in Tynwald next month the Island's minimum wage could be increased this year to match the Living Wage (£13.05).It would rise in two stages; from £11.45 per hour to £12.25 from 1 April, and then up to £13.05 from 1 October.In this edition of Newscast, Lewis Foster asks Treasury Minister Alex Allinson why this proposal has been put forward, despite concerns raised by Manx businesses about the impact it would have on them.