Manx Newscast

A former MHK who has called for a referendum on net zero believes the proposal could help rekindle public interest in Manx politics. Paul Quine’s suggestion is set to be brought before Tynwald in December by Middle member Stu Peters. 

A Douglas East MHK is calling for mandatory neurodiversity and inclusive practice training in education across the Isle of Man. At this month's Tynwald sitting, Joney Faragher will table a motion calling for such training to be 'embedded into core provision'. It's based on a petition for redress presented at this year's Tynwald Day ceremony - which was signed by 28 parents. Ms...

With a General Election looming, a MONEYVAL visit ahead, and mounting pressures on the economy and housing, the Isle of Man faces a defining year. In this episode, Christian Jones and Alistair Ramsay unpacks the key themes from the recent IoD Isle of Man event - from economic confidence to long-term vision - and ask what kind of Island we want to be beyond 2026.

Lawrie Hooper shares his thoughts on the recent government conference and the major announcements that came out of it - including plans for a National Office for AI Development and Regulation, expanded apprenticeship and housing support schemes, and a refreshed economic strategy. With Manx Radio's Christian Jones, he explores what these announcements could mean in practice, and looks beyond the he...

The chair of Douglas Council's Housing Committee says it's 'imperative' that properties are turned around as soon as possible to allow those on the list to move in. At its public meeting, the local authority confirmed it had reallocated 41 properties last month and had received 17 back from tenants - which it said is 'significantly' high.  The council also says it has changed its operati...

A group of residents say they are 'fairly suspicious' of a move by Douglas Council to cut down a number of registered trees in a local playing field.  The 'Keep Willaston Field Green' community page believes the notice to fell 39 is 'incredibly coincidental' to the timing of a proposed building compound in the Ballanard Road park. Douglas Council has told Manx Radio that no trees are bei...

Is party politics a blessing or a curse? With the Isle of Man’s general election on the horizon and new political parties emerging, some are asking whether a party system could help - or hinder - government on the Island. Lord Daniel Finkelstein, a long-time political adviser, Times columnist, member of the House of Lords and director of Chelsea Football Club, recently visited the Island and toure...

The leader of Douglas City Council has welcomed government plans to reform rates exemptions on dilapidated and ruinous properties. At the 2025 Isle of Man Government Conference, Treasury reaffirmed its commitment to bringing forward new legislation that would require landlords of such properties to pay rates in full, as incentive to bring them back onto the market. Manx Radio's Christian Jones sat...

In this edition of the Manx Radio Newscast, Manx Care CEO Teresa Cope speaks to Lewis Foster about the reaction to the health body's latest annual report.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and breast cancer charities are warning that an increasing number of women aren't regularly checking themselves for signs of cancer. New research suggests that 45-percent of women don't examine themselves for signs and symptoms of the disease. That's up 4-percent from 2022. Meanwhile, a study out of Sweden found that women who miss their first breast...

A newly launched political party, Isle of Man First, has set out a wide-ranging manifesto ahead of the next general election. The party, which describes itself as focused on "putting Manx residents first", has pledged reforms across health, education, housing, tax, and government efficiency. Among its key proposals are raising the personal income tax allowance to £20,000 within its first 100...

The Isle of Man Ferry Terminal in Liverpool is to be upgraded in the coming weeks to rectify a problem identified during berthing trials last year. In this edition of Newscast, Lewis Foster speaks to Infrastructure Minister Michelle Haywood.

As government plans to increase the Island's minimum wage, one political party argues it's not going far enough. Liberal Vannin Chair, Paul Weatherall, told Amy Griffiths it should be in line with the living wage:

The Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce says a sharp rise in the minimum wage could put small firms under "unbearable" strain. A 9.9 percent increase is set to be presented to Tynwald despite inflation being at just 3.3 percent. A Chamber survey found nearly half of businesses fear a significant impact. Chief Executive Rebecca George told Manx Radio's Christian Jones this could mean higher prices, few...

Alex Allinson has confirmed there are no plans to increase the retirement age on the Isle of Man. It's after an economist suggested the age be raised to 72 or 73. Dr Allinson spoke to Sian Cowper.

Middle MHK Stu Peters will bring a motion to Tynwald later this year, calling for the public to have their say about the future of the Isle of Man Government's net zero policies. He's been talking to Beth Espey to explain more.

Local businesses are being invited to attend a special event at the Comis Hotel next week. On Monday (29 September) an 'Ex-Military Talent in the Workplace Business Leader Forum' will be held from 8:30am to 11am. Defence Relationship Manager Jan Cox told Siobhán Fletcher more.

After a UK national newspaper labelled the Isle of Man a 'hotbed for organised crime', Lewis Foster speaks to Detective Inspector Jamie Tomlinson from the Isle of Man Constabulary's Serious and Organised Crime Unit.

The Oxford English Dictionary has included Manx words as part of its September update. The three selected are examples of 'loan words' - meaning they are Manx Gaelic words we'd use whilst speaking so-called 'Manx English'. They are:  Chiollagh   - which means a tall, wide fireplace with an open hearth, of the type found in traditional Manx buildings. Thie veg - which is a toilet or lavat...

A Douglas East MHK is calling on the Department of Education, Sport and Culture to re-think its school uniform policy. It's after Joney Faragher submitted a Tynwald written question on the topic. The response states that following a review of the results of public consultation on the topic - which was run in January 2023 - 'no change to the existing School Uniform Policy Guidance was con...

Ahead of the Isle of Man’s next general election in a year’s time, a member of the Tynwald Youth Select Committee says housing and youth retention will be key issues for younger voters. Alexandra Cowley sat down with Christian Jones.

With just one year until voters go to the polls in the Isle of Man’s 2026 General Election, political commentator Alistair Ramsay has suggested the biggest question will be whether the election produces a genuine anti-government reaction. Mr Ramsay sat down with Christian Jones to explain.

With one year to go until the Isle of Man's 2026 General Election, what is likely going through the mind of a sitting MHK, and what can the incumbent chief minister expect over the final months of his administration? Former Chief Minister Howard Quayle discusses with Christian Jones.

The justice and home affairs minister says the new Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act 2021 is to be reviewed - as planned - imminently. The legislation has been in operation for around 18 months, after it was 'switched on' in March last year. But the conversation around sentences for those convicted of child sexual offences has been a loud one in recent weeks, with calls from s...

In this episode we hear from Martin Malone who attempted 'The Big Swim' earlier this month, as part of the ambitious Expedition Limitless 2026 fundraising campaign. The aim was to swim continuously for 24 hours, and as we'll hear, while it didn't quite go to plan, Martin says there's a lot to be gained from such experiences. You can find a link to Martin's fundraising page here.