Blames price rises on Treasury

The chairman of the Manx Utilities Authority has been defending the costs of electricity and sewage on the Island.

Alf Cannan MHK says the MUA’s large debts and demands from government to save cash combine with a small population to mean high prices.

He says the authority was asked to find £4.8 million savings this year, forcing him to announce a 50 per cent rise in the sewage rate which replaced the toilet tax.

Mr Cannan says a large part of the MUA’s financing is out of his control: