Episodes
An endometriosis sufferer on the Isle of Man is calling on government to take 'immediate steps' to improve care for patients with the condition. Zara Chadwick has set up a survey - and petition - which she hopes will highlight the plight of women suffering.She spoke to Chanelle Sukhoo:
A space that's safe and supportive where people can open up about their struggles with alcohol, drugs or gambling.That's what six newly-qualified peer mentors have created at Motiv8 Addiction Services after undertaking nine months of 'rigorous training'.So now, on Tuesday mornings between 11am-midday, service users can come along and tell their story without fear of judgement - or simply lend an ear.Lewis Foster has been down to speak with three of the new peer mentors; Jimmy Thistle, Brian Gilmour, and Paul Whipp:
Changes to the Island's planning regulations from the 1st of March, will mean some small building projects will no longer require planning approval. Simon Richardson's been talking to Cabinet Office Minister, David Ashford, about the changes.
A twenty-year old from Sulby has made history by becoming the first female to achieve an important qualification in the fishing industry.Isla Gale has passed her oral exams to achieve her Certificate of Competency as Deck Officer Class 2.Formerly Trainee Fisherman of the Year 2022, Isla began her career scalloping in Manx waters.Isle of Man Maritime, which supported Isla's journey through funding assistance, says it's an important milestone in her career and it's 'proud' to celebrate her success.In this edition of Newscast, Isla catches up with Manx Radio's Lewis Foster about her journey in...
Money already spent and work already done on dropped bills 'is valuable and can be picked up in the future'.That's according to the justice and home affairs minister who has been speaking to Manx Radio after it was revealed 15 bills have been removed from government's legislative programme over the past year.Jane Poole-Wilson says legislation can be dropped from the government agenda for number of different reasons.But she told Siobhán Fletcher sometimes it's only when you start digging that you find out there are already 'sufficient powers' in place to enact change.
It wasn't only about the Budget in this month's sitting of Tynwald.Phil Gawne and Christian Jones give us a recap of the highlights.
As the dust settles on this year's budget, do you think this year's announcements are going to make you better off?On Tuesday, Treasury Minister Alex Allinson announced the higher rate of income tax would be reduced by 1% to 21%, while personal allowances are increasing by £250 from April.But, there were concerns over healthcare spending, the future of the triple lock and the transparency of the budget process itself.Minister Allinson joined Ben and Sian on Manx Radio Breakfast
A warning that this episode contains information which some listeners may find distressing.The families of two teenagers who were murdered over 20 years ago on the Isle of Man are renewing a call to keep their killer behind bars.Sixteen-year-old’s Samantha Barton and George Green were killed in 2002 by Peter Newbery who was jailed for life with a minimum term of 20 years.After two decades behind bars Newbery applied for parole and his application was heard by the Isle of Man Parole Committee in 2023; it was unsuccessful.It’s understood he’ll undergo another parole hearing in March – somethi...
Does Manx Care have enough funding for the year ahead? Well the healthcare budget was one of the main talking points in yesterday's Budget debate. The health body will get £357.5 million with a £14 million contingency pot also available. Ramsey MHK, and former Health Minister, Lawrie Hooper told Tynwald that's simply not enough saying he believes a base figure of £370 million is needed. Our political correspondent Phil Gawne caught up with Mr Hooper and his replacement Claire Christian.
A meeting has been organised for residents of Peel interested in standing as a commissioner in the Local Authority Elections in April. Commissioner Hazel Hannan says it's important for democracy if there is an election in the town, so people have a choice of who they want to represent them. She and fellow board member Voirrey Heaton will be holding the meeting on 27 February at the Peel Centenary Centre from 7.30pm.Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to Ms Hannan.
The treasury minister Alex Allinson has brought his proposed budget for the 2025/26 financial year to Tynwald.You can listen to his speech in full here.
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...
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’:
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 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.