On Air Now The Golden Nightshift Midnight - 7:00am
Now Playing Meat Loaf Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad

MLC reiterates calls for milestone payments for new parents

Picture Credit: Manx Radio

Government previously said such a scheme would need costing

An MLC and demographer has reiterated calls for government to look at milestone payments as an incentive for new parents on the Island.

Paul Craine was part of a committee that recommended lump sum payments for parents at certain stages of a child's development as a way to encourage more Manx residents to start a family.

When the committee's report was discussed in Tynwald in June 2023, government brought forward an amendment which changed the wording of the committee's recommendation.

It said that while government supported this idea in principle, it would need to be costed by Treasury and further considered by the Council of Ministers.

Mr Craine estimates figures published by the Island's maternity unit show the number of births over the first six months of this year is down around 3 percent compared to 2025.

Mr Craine believes a system like Singapore's, where £6,000 payments are made when a child is born, could make a difference here:

Manx Radio has asked government for an update on the costing.

More from Isle of Man News