Public Services Commission releases overdue annual reports

The PSC has published delayed reports revealing civil service demographics and staff turnover

The Public Services Commission has published its overdue reports for 2021/22 and 2022/23.

Both reports are expected to be presented to Tynwald in January.

As per the Public Services Commission Act 2015, the organisation is legally required to release an annual report “as soon as practicable” after the end of a financial year, something Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper queried whether the PSC was in breach of the legislation.

At the time, a "lack of good data and accountability" have been blamed for the delay in the publication of the reports by former chair of the PSC Kate Lord-Brennan, who has denied the suggestion that the delay breaches the law.

The Public Services Commission employs a variety of staff across government departments, boards, and offices.

This includes civil servants, social care workers, and staff at the Villa Marina.

Key findings from the reports include:

• As of March 2023, 4,000 full-time equivalent staff were employed, an increase of 103 since 2021.
• The average age of a civil servant is 47, higher than the UK’s average of 44.
• Fifty-seven percent of the civil service workforce is female, with 43 percent male.
• In 2022/23, 348 staff left their roles, mostly due to voluntary resignations, followed by retirements, with a median departure age of 52.
• Absenteeism dropped to 4.6 percent in 2022/23, down from 6.65 percent the previous year, with stress, anxiety, and depression being the primary causes of absence.

The reports highlight changes aimed at increasing accountability, including redefining department heads’ roles to enhance oversight under the Isle of Man Government Chief Executive Officer.

Kate Lord-Brennan, MHK for Peel and Glenfaba, chaired the PSC at the time but has since stepped down from both the Commission and her role as Cabinet Office Minister.

She refused an interview opportunity with Manx Radio, stating: “I don’t think that would be appropriate given I am no longer the Chair, to speak on behalf of the Commission.”

Her tenure saw tensions with trade unions, with three public sector pay offers rejected, some described as “disgraceful” and "totally unacceptable".

She maintains, however, that there was a need for “wider Commission and political interest” in pay negotiations and awards.

She also highlighted efforts to focus the public service on productivity, meaningful work, and preparing for technological and structural reforms.

Onchan MHK Rob Callister, the new Chair of the Public Services Commission, published the missing two reports after politicians unanimously supported an amended motion to release all PSC reports before March 2025.

Manx Radio is expecting to discuss the findings with Mr Callister in due course.