The Department of Home Affairs say they wish to clarify the situation regarding mileage allowances in light of what they're calling recent 'misleading comparisons'.

They claim these were drawn by the union representative acting on behalf of Prospect and the Prison Officers’ Association.

The department says it had made what it considered to be a fair and equitable offer of 40p for each additional mile travelled to and from the new prison at Jurby from an officer’s home address.

This was would apply for a period of three years in order to compensate staff involved in relocating from Victoria Road jail in Douglas.

The department says the mileage allowance offered to prison staff differs from the mileage allowance available to other civil servants, which doesn't apply to commuting to and from a place of work.

Recent union statements have referred to politicians being paid a maximum of 52p a mile but this is for business related travel only. Members are deemed to work from home, so mileage applies to journeys made from home to meetings and official engagements.

The rate paid to members of Tynwald is also applied on a sliding scale – from 46p to a maximum of 52p a mile - depending on the engine capacity of the vehicle and total miles claimed.

The department’s offer of 40p a mile has now been withdrawn, and the matter will be referred to the Civil Service Commission for further consideration.