Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK has today outlined a range of measures to encourage economic growth – including action on work permits, utility charges, planning and education.
The changes were signalled by Mr Quayle as he sought Tynwald approval for the principles and objectives set out in the Framework for a Programme for Government produced by the Council of Ministers.
The Chief Minister told Members he was also looking for reform in respect of the telecoms infrastructure, pre-school education and the benefits system.
Key points from Mr Quayle’s speech include:
• Work permits – proposals to be produced to expand the range of exemptions from the work permit requirement, in response to skills shortages that are hindering business expansion.
• Utility charges – next sewerage rate increase restricted to inflation only and the Manx Utilities Authority to be asked to consider a similar approach for water and electricity costs.
• Planning – work to reform the planning system with the aim of achieving ‘substantial progress’ within the next 18 months. Mr Quayle said growth should not come at any cost, but there was a consensus that the current system ‘is not responsive enough.’
• Education – a new strategy for lifelong learning to be developed, ‘which will ensure our people are able to get the skills they need, when they need them, ready for the workplace of the future.’
• Telecoms and internet provision – recommendations for improvement to be progressed, including a more active role for the Communications Commission in monitoring pricing and quality.
• Pre-school education – the Chief Minister said there was inconsistent provision across the Island, and the system needed urgent overhaul. ‘I want to ensure that all our children are receiving the best start in life’, he told Tynwald.
• Benefits system – reform to be intensified and policy work on needs and means testing to be completed in the first year of the administration. Mr Quayle said the system should provide ‘a truly tailored package of care for those who need it most’ but for not additional cost.
