The treasury minister is emphasising the importance of the Manx government's capital spending programme as a means of supporting jobs in the construction industry, and says it's vital government continues to invest in capital schemes.

Anne Craine also says the various departments of government should make every effort to deliver the ?96 million programme set out in the 2010-2011 Budget, presented to Tynwald by her predecessor, Allan Bell.

Mrs Craine says government is the largest single customer of the construction industry, accounting for about 70 per cent of spending in the sector.

The industry provides direct employment for 3,000 people and generates ?140 million a year, or six per cent of national income.

The capital schemes also maintain or improve the Island's infrastructure.

Mrs Craine says capital spending is a one-off investment, funded from a central government pot, and paid back by the relevant departments over a period of up to 50 years, unlike revenue spending which is funded by the annual income or revenue received by government from VAT and income tax.

It is the Island's revenue income and revenue spending that have come under particular pressure since the revision of the VAT sharing arrangement with the United Kingdom.