Fall in unemployment to cover concession
The cost of refunding TV licences for older residents will be covered by leftover unemployment benefits.
Treasury Minister Alf Cannan outlined the proposals yesterday (18 Oct) following Tynwald's reversal of a previous decision to scrap the bonus for over-75s.
It would cost around £700,000 per year to refund licence fees for the 7,000 residents of eligible age.
But Mr Cannan says a recent fall in joblessness figures has driven an unexpected surplus:
Farmer says he's losing one metre of land a year to coastal erosion
Calls for more to be done to slow down the rate of land loss
'Preservation expert' to deliver talk on saving historical buildings
CPD event to take place at the Manx Museum
Castletown Commissioners urge Tynwald to reject sale of former police station
It was one of the topics discussed at its public meeting last night
MHK's bid to restrict key Tynwald roles
Julie Edge lays motion calling for two-term limit on Speaker and President posts
Swiss Chalet in Glen Helen given new lease of life
Isle of Man Farm Shop officially opened over the Easter weekend