Manx Newscast

Simon Richardson hears the views of Garff MHKs Daphne Caine and Andrew Smith after tour of Laxey flood protection work

Manx Care says it's confident it's doing enough to change the organisation's culture. The Island's health and social care provider has published a strategy for the next three years to try and improve working conditions. It comes in a year that's seen nurses strike twice over pay and working conditions, as well as doctors working at the hospital revealing a culture of poor senior leadership and lac...

For the first sitting back after the summer recess, our Sports Editor Rob Pritchard gets into politics mode and gives Siobhán Fletcher the lowdown on the October 2023 sitting of Tynwald, including some urgent questions on that Shoprite takeover, why government is insisting the Steam Packet be run at arm's length, and a fond farewell from Bishop Peter.

Creating a fairer system to pay for nursing, residential and home care is being likened to creating the NHS. In July, Tynwald approved plans to look into two possible models - one seeing the state pay for all care, while another would be means tested with caps in place for how much would be spent by an individual. A consultation's due to be launched asking for feedback, as well as workshops to tal...

What will Shoprite selling all its stores to Tesco mean  for the Isle of Man from a financial point of view? Just one of the questions out to Dr Allinson by Beth Espey.

Manx Care says it will work hard to ‘get back on track’ at a dental practice in Douglas. It’s taking over the Hillside facility in December after Regent Dental Care handed back its contract. There are 6,600 patients registered there; many of whom are overdue for examinations. Chief executive Teresa Cope admits there are ‘substantial capacity issues’ but has told Manx...

With advances to artificial intelligence and questions over the impact it could have on the workforce, how could AI affect the creative industries? The music industry is divided into four different sectors: recorded, publishing, live and management. But with AI now able to compose music at the click of a button, where does this leave studio professionals and artists?

MLC Kerry Sharpe told Manx Radio the findings in the Ofsted Report echoed the findings in her own report that was released in July this year. She's calling on government to do more to protect the children in the care system and care leavers. Ms Sharpe spoke to Chanelle Sukhoo. Listen to the full interview here

Joanna Simpson grew up on the Isle of Man, was educated at the Buchan School and is said to have been a well-loved member of the Manx community. In 2010, now 46 and living in Berkshire, she was killed by her ex-husband Robert Brown. A court at the time heard how he killed her in her home using a clawhammer and within earshot of their two children, aged nine and 10. He buried her body in a pre-dug...

Regulating the use of drugs on the Isle of Man would help 'take the power away from criminals'. That's according to two groups calling for the introduction of a safer system for those who use illicit substances. A meeting - Isle of Man: Take Drugs Seriously - organised by Anyone’s Child: Families for Safer Drug Control took place in Douglas on Tuesday (10 October). The aim? ...

The DEFA Minister insists she's keen to support local producers and suppliers when Shoprite closes its doors. Tesco has agreed to buy all its nine stores across the Island. Clare Barber tells Amy Griffiths her reaction to the news, and what she's hoping to be able to facilitate in her role as minister.

Shoprite has sold its nine stores on the Isle of Man to Tesco. This includes its larger stores, its 'Little Shoprite' stores and Winerite on Victoria Road in Douglas. The stores will remain trading as Shoprite during a transition period and will be rebranded to Tesco over the next nine months. So, what does it mean for the Island? Chief Minister Alfred Cannan spoke live on Manx Radio's Breakfast s...

Last week, Manx Utilities confirmed a site at Earystane and Scard as its preferred place for a windfarm. It was one of two sites being considered to meet government's commitment to developing an onshore windfarm by 2026. So why was this selected as its final choice, and what happens now? Siobhán Fletcher talks onshore wind, solar power and myth-busting with the MUA's Transition Prog...

Libraries are a 'vital' service for children on the Isle of Man.  That's the view of the librarian from the Henry Bloom Noble Library who says youngsters who are encouraged to read at a young age often perform better at school. Jan McCartney says the facility is for 'everyone' in the community. Waterstones Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho also agrees.  Local Demo...

Maritime trade union Nautilus has spent the past week on the Isle of Man. It's been speaking with members and gauging what's next amid the 'fire and rehire' dispute. Manx Radio's Christian Jones sat down with the Senior National Organiser Garry Elliot.

Today is World Meningitis Day - a day marked the world over to raise awareness about the condition. One charity working year-round to raise awareness is Meningitis Now - an organisation based in the UK. Siobhán Fletcher spoke to Chief Executive of the charity Dr. Tom Nutt, to talk signs and symptoms.

Island resident Lucas Martin was just 21 when he died suddenly in September after contracting meningitis. His family has launched a website,  LookyMartin.com , which tells readers a bit more about Lucas, and has links to charities including Meningitis Now, and Organ Donation IOM. Lucas was a donor with his organs going on to help people across the UK. The family are ultimately going...

Cardiology patients who had their appointments cancelled at short notice will have them reinstated. That’s the pledge from Manx Care which has apologised after an administration error saw people told they’d have to wait until this time next year to see a doctor. The health body initially blamed ‘capacity issues’ for having to cancel a number of clinics. These issues were ca...

A bid to extend boundaries in the north of the Island got underway at a pre-inquiry hearing on Monday.   Ramsey Commissioners believe the town needs to grow to encourage development – it wants to adjust the boundaries between Ramsey, Lezayre and Garff.   It’s something which will be challenged by Lezayre and Garff Commissioners.   The meeting, which set out the process t...

Government's decision to spend funds approved for work on the horse tramway elsewhere is 'a slap in the face to Tynwald'. That's from the chair of the Public Accounts Committee, after its annual report criticised the Council of Minister's decision to descope the horse trams without seeking a vote in the Island's parliament. The scrutiny body is calling for such a vote to be...

How confident would you feel travelling between the Isle of Man and Gatwick in the evening? A campaigner says public confidence in the route is really low because of how often the service is delayed or cancelled, and is calling for government to do more to tackle the issue. It's led to fears the disruption could be putting of future visitors and even potential new residents. Tony Quine submitt...

The Steam Packet says it will not agree to ‘preferential treatment’ for members of staff represented by a union which has floated industrial action over live onboard arrangements. Nautilus claims its members have been threatened with ‘fire and rehire’ if they do not accept changes to their working conditions. It’s led to what’s been described as an ‘impass...

Introducing a housing association on the Isle of Man could cut people off from their local communities. That’s the view of a Peel commissioner after government confirmed it was looking at creating a single body to manage the Department of Infrastructure’s housing stock. Alan Jones says the idea has been floated previously and Peel Commissioners offered to look after housing in the west...

The Isle of Man government is set to ask for Tynwald approval to scrap work permits for three years as part of efforts to remove 'perceived barriers' and entice skilled workers to the Island. The Department of Enterprise says the jobs market is highly competitive and leaving said 'barriers' will put the Island at a significant disadvantage. But there are rumblings from politicians...

A consultation on changes to Isle of Man Energy's finances won't impact customers' bills. That clarification has come from the Communications and Utilities Regulatory Authority as it seeks feedback on proposed changes to the cost of debt and working capital allowances for the Island's gas supplier. One factor would mean a small increase to the tariff, but the other would mean a red...