Staffing border check sites cost more than £2m

Restrictions for arrivals were in place between June 2021 and April 2022

Staffing border check facilities between last summer and April this year cost more than £2million worth of taxpayers' money.

The figure has been revealed in response to a Freedom of Information request submitted by Manx Radio.

Between June 2021 and the start of April this year, those arriving on the Island were required to complete a landing card, and in some cases provide proof of Covid-19 vaccination status, with staff checking paperwork at the ports.

The sites were staffed by public sector workers, security staff and workers from recruitment agencies, costing the Cabinet Office a total of £2,014,879.26.

The figure includes more than £94,000 in April 2022, despite the last restrictions having lifted on 1 April.

Just under £340,000 of the total incurred was spent on security, with more than £12,000 going on recruitment agency staff.

Almost £17,000 worth of equipment bought for the border checks is no longer being used, including signage, TETRA radios and workers uniforms.

That figure includes an £8,000 spend on weatherproof shelters at Parade Street, which will be repurposed by the Department of Infrastructure to provide bicycle storage at primary schools.