Episodes
The Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce says a sharp rise in the minimum wage could put small firms under "unbearable" strain.A 9.9 percent increase is set to be presented to Tynwald despite inflation being at just 3.3 percent.A Chamber survey found nearly half of businesses fear a significant impact.Chief Executive Rebecca George told Manx Radio's Christian Jones this could mean higher prices, fewer jobs, and stalled growth.
Alex Allinson has confirmed there are no plans to increase the retirement age on the Isle of Man. It's after an economist suggested the age be raised to 72 or 73. Dr Allinson spoke to Sian Cowper.
Middle MHK Stu Peters will bring a motion to Tynwald later this year, calling for the public to have their say about the future of the Isle of Man Government's net zero policies.He's been talking to Beth Espey to explain more.
Local businesses are being invited to attend a special event at the Comis Hotel next week.On Monday (29 September) an 'Ex-Military Talent in the Workplace Business Leader Forum' will be held from 8:30am to 11am.Defence Relationship Manager Jan Cox told Siobhán Fletcher more.
After a UK national newspaper labelled the Isle of Man a 'hotbed for organised crime', Lewis Foster speaks to Detective Inspector Jamie Tomlinson from the Isle of Man Constabulary's Serious and Organised Crime Unit.
The Oxford English Dictionary has included Manx words as part of its September update.The three selected are examples of 'loan words' - meaning they are Manx Gaelic words we'd use whilst speaking so-called 'Manx English'.They are: Chiollagh - which means a tall, wide fireplace with an open hearth, of the type found in traditional Manx buildings.Thie veg- which is a toilet or lavatory, especially one which is external to a main building. And cooish - which means a friendly conversation or chat.It's not the first time words originating from the Isle of Man have featured, as Lewis Foster fou...
A Douglas East MHK is calling on the Department of Education, Sport and Culture to re-think its school uniform policy.It's after Joney Faragher submitted a Tynwald written question on the topic.The response states that following a review of the results of public consultation on the topic - which was run in January 2023 - 'no change to the existing School Uniform Policy Guidance was considered necessary'.Ms Faragher told Siobhán Fletcher that 'could come across as dismissive' to those parents who are struggling.
Ahead of the Isle of Man’s next general election in a year’s time, a member of the Tynwald Youth Select Committee says housing and youth retention will be key issues for younger voters.Alexandra Cowley sat down with Christian Jones.
With just one year until voters go to the polls in the Isle of Man’s 2026 General Election, political commentator Alistair Ramsay has suggested the biggest question will be whether the election produces a genuine anti-government reaction.Mr Ramsay sat down with Christian Jones to explain.
With one year to go until the Isle of Man's 2026 General Election, what is likely going through the mind of a sitting MHK, and what can the incumbent chief minister expect over the final months of his administration?Former Chief Minister Howard Quayle discusses with Christian Jones.
The justice and home affairs minister says the new Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act 2021 is to be reviewed - as planned - imminently.The legislation has been in operation for around 18 months, after it was 'switched on' in March last year.But the conversation around sentences for those convicted of child sexual offences has been a loud one in recent weeks, with calls from some for a national inquiry into the topic.Siobhán Fletcher sat down with Jane Poole-Wilson, to find out more about how it all works.
In this episode we hear from Martin Malone who attempted 'The Big Swim' earlier this month, as part of the ambitious Expedition Limitless 2026 fundraising campaign.The aim was to swim continuously for 24 hours, and as we'll hear, while it didn't quite go to plan, Martin says there's a lot to be gained from such experiences.You can find a link to Martin's fundraising page here.
Three sixth-form students are back home after attending this year’s United Space School in Houston, Texas.All pupils at Ballakermeen High School, they were selected to attend the school on a River Advisers scholarship, which this year celebrated its 25th anniversary.Siobhán Fletcher went to meet this year's cohort - Hollie Patterson-Hannay, Patrick Williams and Guy McGuinness, as well as Chris Stott and Dr Jennifer Stone from the company, to find out more.
An MHK says the way whistleblowers are treated by government is 'appalling', and they should be welcomed rather than ostracised.Arbory, Castletown and Malew member Tim Glover compiled a dossier in 2023 looking at the findings of a whistleblowing committee, how the topic had been discussed in Tynwald since, and hearing from those going through the whistleblowing process.The report includes quotes from whistleblowers who describe the system as 'cruel' and 'frightening'.Mr Glover has recently updated the document, and says a change is still needed.In response, the Isle of Man Government says ‘...
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: