Public 'needs more involvement' with budget process

MHK believes 'pink book' should be published up to 12 weeks ahead of debate

A Douglas Central MHK believes changes are needed to the budget process to better involve the public.

Chris Thomas is calling for the Pink Book - the document which sets out government's spending plan for the year ahead - to be published up to 12 weeks ahead of the Budget.

Currently the figures aren't made available to the public until after the treasury minister's speech in February's Tynwald sitting.

The motion, which will be debated at this month's sitting, asks Tynwald to note recommendations from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association that the public should be given input into the budget process and that the legislature should have reasonable time to adequately scrutinise the national budget.

He'll also be asking for Tynwald to show its support for publishing the 2025-26 Budget two weeks ahead of the debate, and subsequent budgets 12 weeks in advance except in the year after a general election, when Mr Thomas wants figures to be published eight weeks ahead of the Budget.

The motion was originally tabled by Douglas South MHK Claire Christian but Mr Thomas will now move it following her appointment to the Council of Ministers.

Mr Thomas told Manx Radio government will be concerned by the cost implications but the public deserves more details: