Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK has welcomed Tynwald endorsement this week for Government initiatives to protect the future of the Island’s economy and its health and social care services.

Members strongly supported the introduction of a ?50 million Enterprise Development Scheme to stimulate new business and jobs, and gave unanimous backing to a strategy to transform health and social care services over the next five years.

Both measures were on the list of priorities set out by the Chief Minister when he presented the Government’s updated ‘Agenda for Change’ policy document to the July sitting of Tynwald.

The Enterprise Development Scheme was moved at the October Tynwald this week by Economic Development Minister Laurence Skelly MHK, and the health and social care strategy by Health and Social Care Minister Howard Quayle MHK.

Tynwald also approved the Island’s first biodiversity strategy, moved by Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Richard Ronan MHK, which reflects the ‘Agenda for Change’ support for protecting and enhancing the natural environment.

Mr Bell commented: ‘The Enterprise Development Scheme is the centrepiece of a package of incentives to boost the economy, increase inward investment and grow the working population. This is absolutely vital if we are to secure a level of economic momentum strong enough to sustain jobs and public services into the future.’

He added: ‘Tynwald’s appreciation of the strategic importance of the Enterprise Development Scheme is heartening and I now look forward to the launch of the scheme early in the new year.’

The Chief Minister said the plan to reshape health and social care recognised that the current model of service was unsustainable in the face of an ageing population and other challenges.

He continued: ‘The strategy to transform health and social care includes an emphasis on individuals taking greater responsibility for their own health and more delivery of integrated care at community level. This is all about securing the sustainability and affordability of services while making sure that we are providing effective protection for people who may become vulnerable at points during their lives.’

Tynwald’s backing for Government’s proposals in relation to the economy and health and care services follows its support at the July sitting for the principles underpinning a comprehensive modernisation of the Island’s state pensions and benefits system. Work is also continuing on further reform of public sector pensions.

Other areas of Government policy that have been progressed include modernisation of the public service, with the introduction of the new Public Services Commission from September 1 this year. The Commission brings together civil servants and manual workers under a single employing body, superseding the Civil Service Commission and the Whitley Council.

The merger of the financial sector regulators the Financial Supervision Commission and the Insurance and Pensions Authority is also going ahead with the new unified Isle of Man Financial Services Authority due to come into being on November 1 this year.
The Freedom of Information Act, which strengthens the operation of open government by giving residents a legal right to gain information from public bodies, begins a phased introduction from February 1 next year.

The Chief Minister concluded: ‘With the support of Tynwald, we have made good progress in difficult circumstances to start putting the Island’s public finances back on an even keel and to modernise the systems and structures of Government. We have been laying the foundations for a sustainable future for our economy, and for the job opportunities and public services that will be available to the next generation.

‘But a lot of hard work remains to be done, and we cannot take our eye off the ball just because there is a general election around the corner. I am particularly keen for the Equality Bill and the Same Sex Marriage legislation to be progressed, to confirm that the Isle of Man is now a truly tolerant, fair and inclusive society.’