THE government's printing services department will transfer to the Isle of Man Post Office next month as a cost cutting measure.

The move, on September 5, has been given the go-ahead by the Council of Ministers.

Economic Development Minister Allan Bell said: "The Post Office has extensive knowledge and expertise in the area of printing and brokering and we acknowledge that this is not a core service for Isle of Man Government.

"The Department of Economic Development is pleased to work with the Post Office on this cross government initiative to reduce administrative overheads and maximise savings to government.

"The transfer of the government's printing services department, which currently coordinates all government internal printing and external printing contracts, will amalgamate the facilities of central government with those of the Post Office.

"Specialist printing will continue to be placed in the market using local suppliers wherever technically possible.

"The only change our current suppliers will notice is the Post Office taking over the central brokering role."

The Post Office plans to integrate the department into its Integrated Mailing Solutions (IMS) Division.

Chairman of Isle of Man Post Office Alan Crowe MLC said: "We are delighted to welcome the printing services staff to Isle of Man Post Office to join our existing IMS team.

"IMS is an exciting and developing area of our business and we look forward to providing excellent service for government printing and brokering."