Latest news with #IslandPlan2025-26
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plans to tackle IOM's key housing issues unveiled
Social housing, building new homes, and developing existing sites on the Isle of Man are among the priorities outlined in the government's plans to create a new housing association. Proposals for a separate organisation to tackle housing challenges have been set out in a report ahead of a statement in Tynwald on Tuesday. The government-commissioned study looked into the feasibility of moving housing responsibilities away from the Department of Infrastructure (DOI). One of the report's recommendations said: "A new, not-for-profit, housing entity will take on the landlord functions currently managed by the DOI." A government spokeswoman said "improving the affordability and availability of housing" was a "strategic priority" of the Island Plan. That document, first published in 2022, is updated annually and sets out various targets designed to grow the Manx economy. The report outlined a number of challenges currently facing the island, including "ageing housing stock with physical defects" and "bureaucratic hurdles" in accessing funding. To address these more effectively, the report recommends taking a number of responsibilities away from government and moving them to be under the proposed new association. These include the management and ownership of housing stock, housing development, and homelessness support services. The report said the new association would "have responsibility for developing feasible social and affordable housing solutions for Isle of Man residents, including suitable housing for key workers, and homelessness prevention activities". However, the government would still retain several responsibilities, including rent setting, policy and strategy, housing needs and market assessments, as well as overseeing the new association. The report follows a three-month consultation which cost £79,290. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. Government priorities set out in plan update Updated government roadmap gets Tynwald backing Commitment to create 1,000 affordable homes Five-year roadmap to tackle 'big policy issues' Island Plan 2025-26 Tynwald
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Government priorities set out in plan update
An updated roadmap outlining six strategic priorities for the government before the 2026 general election is set to be debated by Tynwald members next month. Plans to deliver £50m of public sector efficiency savings, along with initiatives to increase housing occupancy and address the need for homes are among the key goals. First published in 2022, the Island Plan has been updated annually, with the latest changes creating the final iteration of the document for the current administration. Chief minister Alfred Cannan said the actions in the update showed the government was "responding to the world around us", and "continually refining" how to reach goals. The document outlined measures to improve security such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), which is set to be introduced at ports, with facial recognition measures also set to come into force in the coming year. The document also includes the introduction of a system of registration for employment agencies and immigration advice services would be set up to ensure those who work on the island have the right to do so. Improving travel connectivity has been highlighted as another core aim, with efforts to secure core air routes to London, north-west England and Dublin on long-term deals with airlines set to continue before looking at other routes. Work to improve energy security would also continue in the year ahead, with offshore and onshore energy projects underway and plans to integrate solar energy generation on the government estate set to begin. The government document also outlines plans to increase the minimum salary levels required to for some work visas routes, and make a decision on the island's approach to introducing a new health surcharge. Other measures aimed at boosting the economy include developing artificial intelligence capabilities, growing the tourism sector, and work on high street renewal through the local economy strategy, The document will be put forward for Tynwald approval in March. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. Updated government roadmap gets Tynwald backing Five-year roadmap to tackle 'big policy issues' Island Plan 2025-26 Tynwald - Parliament of the Isle of Man
