This year’s public sector housing capital investment programme is being increased by around ?500,000 by bringing forward several projects previously scheduled for 2016-17.

These works are expected to start in November and will be substantially completed by the end of March 2016.

The Isle of Man Government owns and lets approximately 1,200 public sector houses, while local authorities own and let about 5,000.

The annual budget for planned maintenance for Government housing is ?1.6million and covers improvements such as re-roofing, kitchen modernisation, electrical upgrades and re-rendering.

Work is being brought forward as this year’s programme is ahead of schedule. Projects will take place in many parts of the Island, including the Threshold Estate in Jurby, and the Fairy Hill (Rushen), Tynwald Close (St John’s) and Glen Mooar (Laxey) estates.

Chris Thomas MHK, Department of Infrastructure Member with responsibility for Housing, said: ‘Planned maintenance is necessary to protect our public housing and to ensure that those who live in them are provided with good quality homes. Accelerating these schemes is helpful in many ways, including the positive impact on local economic activity that arises from construction investment.’