Manx Newscast

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...

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 Isl...

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...

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, w...

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 dev...

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 Man The measure, if approved by Tynwald, would mean the Manx State Pension would rise annually from April...

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 cou...

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...

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 b...

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 Man...

Doctors on the Isle of Man are due to strike for the first time in history. But what is government's role in finding a mutually agreeable solution with members of the British Medical Association? The Health Minister Claire Christian has been speaking to Amy Griffiths:

Issues relating to young people and substance misuse, gambling and gaming in the Isle of Man will be put under the spotlight next week.  Addiction charity Motiv8, alongside Manx Care, is working to raise awareness of the services available here in order to provide treatment, support and education. Next Wednesday (22 January) there'll be a series of presentations on early intervention and...

Onchan MHK Julie Edge says Manx Care needs to listen to the public and provide 'a proper health service'.  It comes as doctors on the Isle of Man plan to walk out for two-days next week as part of an ongoing row over pay. The health body says it will make every effort to keep services open where possible.

Public sector workers who are providing essential services on the Isle of Man are being ‘left behind’ in terms of pay. Unite the Union and Prospect are preparing for further talks with the Public Services Commission this week after a new pay deal was put on the table. Debbie Halsall is the regional officer for Unite - she told Tessa Hawley she wants an explanation for why a sliding scale can't be...

A parent on the Isle of Man who has been campaigning for the legalisation of drugs after loosing his sons to a MDMA overdose is welcoming a drug policy. The Isle of Man Government is preparing a new approach aimed at reducing the harms associated with drug use. It follows a directive from Tynwald in November 2023.

You might, recently, have received a booklet through the door from Manx Telecom regarding the switch-off of the copper network. It gets underway this year - a project expected to be completed by 2029. So, whether you have fibre yet or not, at some point over the next five years, you probably will. Lewis Foster has been speaking to Manx Telecom CEO Gary Lamb about what we can expect to see happen i...

The children of a Manx woman are thanking the Steam Packet for saluting and honouring their mother on her final journey home.  Described as a 'Manx Viking Queen', Florence Jean Prest (formally Looney) died in her UK home surrounded by her children at the age of 94.  Her wish was to be brought back to the Island and laid to rest alongside her parents at Kirk Braddan Cemetry.

Nine people from the Isle of Man are taking on the challenge of a lifetime - all in memory of a special man. Lucas Martin was just 21 when he died suddenly of meningitis in September 2023. Now, some of his nearest and dearest are setting off to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to try and raise money for the charity set up in his name - Looky's Aid. Among the 'fellowship' are his dad Brett, his best friend...

Pensioners in Port St Mary are calling for regulations to be put in place to protect those living in sheltered accommodation. According to a letter from the Southern Sheltered Housing Joint Board, seen by Manx Radio, heating costs are increasing by almost £30.

A new sea services framework should put passengers needs first. That's the view of the chair of the Regulations of the Steam Packet Company Select Committee, which recently published its report following a year-long investigation into how the ferry operator is run. In this episode of the Manx Newscast, Chair of the Committee Jason Moorhouse speaks to Manx Radio's Sian Cowper:

Are you taking part in Veganuary this year?  It's a challenge that encourages people to eat healthier in the first month of the new year.  Manx resident Michelle Garrett Chambers is a first-time author releasing her vegan book KISS Plant Based Eating.

The chair of Ramsey Commissioners claims there's still 'no answer' to the Northern Civic Amenity Site situation but he believes the solution lies in rate reform.  Rob Cowell says other northern authorities won't 'subsidise' Bride Commissioners.  He adds it's been a 'tough' year for the local authority following failed boundary extension plans and the death of two board mem...