Manx Newscast
News interviews in FULL! Highlighting some of the most interesting, intriguing and engaging recent Isle of Man stories from Manx Radio News.
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Episodes
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Manx Newscast: Island to lose GNAAS cover at end of March?
Friday, 14 March 2025
It's been the topic of conversation all week here on Manx Radio Breakfast, but we are again turning to some information in Manx Care's Operating Plan for 2025/26.A paragraph within the section on 'patient logistics' reveals that the healthcare body is in talks over the future of its links with the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).It admits in the document that £250k is required per annum to cover the service visiting the Island - but says it's 'unlikely that the charity will be able to fundraise to this level each year' - casting doubt on the future of the service for Manx resident...
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Manx Newscast: IoM still a safe place despite 'out of the ordinary' stranger attack
Wednesday, 12 March 2025
Police say they want to reassure people that the Isle of Man is a safe place to live and attacks by strangers are ‘extremely rare’.It follows the sentencing of a 43-year-old man who sexually assaulted a vulnerable teenage girl in Douglas in July last year.Detective Inspector Nick Haxby, from the Protecting Vulnerable People Investigation Team, speaks to Tessa Hawley:
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Manx Newscast: Health Minister: 'I absolutely would be supporting Mandate if I was still a backbencher'
Tuesday, 11 March 2025
This year's Manx Care Mandate is all about 'modernising' and making health services 'more efficient' - 'by moving them to the right place, at the right time with the right person'.At least that's the message from the health minister, who's been hitting back at accusations that it evidences 'the largest assault on NHS care the Island has ever seen'.The health body says it wants to develop out-of-hospital provision – in dental, GP and pharmacy services – and accelerate a ‘home first approach’ to move more services into the community.Siobhán Fletcher has been speaking to Chair of Manx Care, We...
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Manx Newscast: MHK vows to 'fight tooth and nail' against Mandate proposal
Monday, 10 March 2025
A Onchan MHK is calling on the Department of Health and Social Care to put a proposal from its Manx Care Mandate to Tynwald for a decision. The DHSC has suggested following the UK's screening time which would see screening take place every three years as opposed to two. Julie Edge says while it's a service that will save money, it won't save lives.
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Manx Newscast: Charities against decrease in frequency of cancer screening
Monday, 10 March 2025
Charities on the Isle of Man are calling on the Department of Health and Social Care to rethink some of the proposals in the Mandate for Manx Care. Some of the proposals being made are: Reduction in acute hospital (mental/physical) bed capacity to support out of hospital care modelsChanges to prescription eligibility criteriaMore cost-effective delivery of care in hospital and communityAnother proposal is to follow the UK's National Screening Committee and decreasing the frequency of breast and cervical cancer screening from two years to three. It's something that's not welcome by these cha...
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Manx Newcast: The problem with Parentcraft
Thursday, 6 March 2025
Pregnant women on the Isle of Man still aren’t being offered any Parentcraft sessions in person or virtually from the Island's health service.That’s despite an assurance from the health and social care minister that new online resources would be available by early February.Tessa Hawley has this report:
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Manx Newscast: Former DHSC minister says Manx Care mandate the 'largest assault on NHS care the Island has ever seen'
Thursday, 6 March 2025
The former health minister says Manx Care's mandate for the upcoming year amounts to the 'largest assault on NHS care the Island has ever seen'.Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper argues the health body's operating plan evidences a concerted effort from government to 'push people towards private options'.The documents are set to be laid before Tynwald later this month; and will be subject to a general debate.Listen to the full interview here:
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Manx Newscast: Failed natural gas plans are 'six years of wasted energy' says chief minister
Thursday, 6 March 2025
The chief minister has described failed plans to extract natural gas from the Island’s seabed as ‘six-years of wasted energy’.Alfred Cannan says he’s disappointed that Crogga didn’t get to the stage of carrying out a 3D seismic survey and drilling an appraisal well.Mr Cannan told Manx Radio it must be accepted that the Crogga application is finished and Tynwald has voted not to approve any new licence operations:
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Manx Newscast: Okell's launches new canning line
Wednesday, 5 March 2025
Okell's Brewery has started its year of celebrations marking its 175th anniversary with two new updates.It's launching a new brew and has also got new equipment to keep its production as local as possible.Amy Griffiths has been down to the brewery in Kewaigue to find out more:
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Manx Newscast: Chief Minister in Home Office talks with Security Minister
Wednesday, 5 March 2025
The leaders of the Crown Dependencies have held wide ranging talks on law enforcement and cooperation. Chief Minister, Alfred Cannan told Simon Richardson it was his first face to face meeting with UK Security Minister, Dan Jarvis.
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Manx Newscast: Infrastructure minister reacts to Crogga announcement
Monday, 3 March 2025
Crogga confirmed on Friday night that its plans to extract gas from the Island's seabed wouldn't be progressing after it failed to agree a licence extension with the Department of Infrastructure.It cited lack of progress on legislation and a regulatory framework among the reasons for the decision.Infrastructure Minister Michelle Haywood joined Alex and Sian on Manx Radio Breakfast to discuss the announcement.Dr Haywood also gave an update on the conditions in Douglas Harbour, which affected the Manxman's arrival on Saturday evening.
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Manx Newscast: 'Massive gaps' for endometriosis diagnosis, treatment and support
Thursday, 27 February 2025
An endometriosis sufferer on the Isle of Man is calling on government to take 'immediate steps' to improve care for patients with the condition. Zara Chadwick has set up a survey - and petition - which she hopes will highlight the plight of women suffering.She spoke to Chanelle Sukhoo:
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Manx Newscast: Motiv8 peer mentors launch 'Takeover Tuesday' initiative
Thursday, 27 February 2025
A space that's safe and supportive where people can open up about their struggles with alcohol, drugs or gambling.That's what six newly-qualified peer mentors have created at Motiv8 Addiction Services after undertaking nine months of 'rigorous training'.So now, on Tuesday mornings between 11am-midday, service users can come along and tell their story without fear of judgement - or simply lend an ear.Lewis Foster has been down to speak with three of the new peer mentors; Jimmy Thistle, Brian Gilmour, and Paul Whipp:
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Relaxation of some planning requirements
Wednesday, 26 February 2025
Changes to the Island's planning regulations from the 1st of March, will mean some small building projects will no longer require planning approval. Simon Richardson's been talking to Cabinet Office Minister, David Ashford, about the changes.
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Manx woman hopes to inspire younger people and women to join fishing industry
Monday, 24 February 2025
A twenty-year old from Sulby has made history by becoming the first female to achieve an important qualification in the fishing industry.Isla Gale has passed her oral exams to achieve her Certificate of Competency as Deck Officer Class 2.Formerly Trainee Fisherman of the Year 2022, Isla began her career scalloping in Manx waters.Isle of Man Maritime, which supported Isla's journey through funding assistance, says it's an important milestone in her career and it's 'proud' to celebrate her success.In this edition of Newscast, Isla catches up with Manx Radio's Lewis Foster about her journey in...
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Manx Newscast: Range of reasons why bills are dropped or paused, says minister
Friday, 21 February 2025
Money already spent and work already done on dropped bills 'is valuable and can be picked up in the future'.That's according to the justice and home affairs minister who has been speaking to Manx Radio after it was revealed 15 bills have been removed from government's legislative programme over the past year.Jane Poole-Wilson says legislation can be dropped from the government agenda for number of different reasons.But she told Siobhán Fletcher sometimes it's only when you start digging that you find out there are already 'sufficient powers' in place to enact change.
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Tynwald in Brief - February 2025
Thursday, 20 February 2025
It wasn't only about the Budget in this month's sitting of Tynwald.Phil Gawne and Christian Jones give us a recap of the highlights.
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Manx Newscast: Treasury Minister answers questions live post budget
Thursday, 20 February 2025
As the dust settles on this year's budget, do you think this year's announcements are going to make you better off?On Tuesday, Treasury Minister Alex Allinson announced the higher rate of income tax would be reduced by 1% to 21%, while personal allowances are increasing by £250 from April.But, there were concerns over healthcare spending, the future of the triple lock and the transparency of the budget process itself.Minister Allinson joined Ben and Sian on Manx Radio Breakfast
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Manx Newscast: Families of murdered teenagers renew calls to keep killer behind bars
Thursday, 20 February 2025
A warning that this episode contains information which some listeners may find distressing.The families of two teenagers who were murdered over 20 years ago on the Isle of Man are renewing a call to keep their killer behind bars.Sixteen-year-old’s Samantha Barton and George Green were killed in 2002 by Peter Newbery who was jailed for life with a minimum term of 20 years.After two decades behind bars Newbery applied for parole and his application was heard by the Isle of Man Parole Committee in 2023; it was unsuccessful.It’s understood he’ll undergo another parole hearing in March – somethi...
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Manx Newscast: Former and current Health Ministers give their takes on the Budget
Wednesday, 19 February 2025
Does Manx Care have enough funding for the year ahead? Well the healthcare budget was one of the main talking points in yesterday's Budget debate. The health body will get £357.5 million with a £14 million contingency pot also available. Ramsey MHK, and former Health Minister, Lawrie Hooper told Tynwald that's simply not enough saying he believes a base figure of £370 million is needed. Our political correspondent Phil Gawne caught up with Mr Hooper and his replacement Claire Christian.
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Manx Newscast: Meeting organised for people wanting to be a Peel Commissioner
Tuesday, 18 February 2025
A meeting has been organised for residents of Peel interested in standing as a commissioner in the Local Authority Elections in April. Commissioner Hazel Hannan says it's important for democracy if there is an election in the town, so people have a choice of who they want to represent them. She and fellow board member Voirrey Heaton will be holding the meeting on 27 February at the Peel Centenary Centre from 7.30pm.Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to Ms Hannan.
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Manx Newscast: The Treasury Minister's Budget Speech 2025
Tuesday, 18 February 2025
The treasury minister Alex Allinson has brought his proposed budget for the 2025/26 financial year to Tynwald.You can listen to his speech in full here.
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Manx Newscast: Could you be a volunteer with the Island's Civil Defence?
Tuesday, 18 February 2025
People from a range of backgrounds are required to work together to make the Isle of Man Civil Defence Corps a success.That's the message from the emergency service which is currently recruiting for 'enthusiastic and dedicated' volunteers.An open day is being held at the Civil Defence Headquarters in Tromode this Wednesday (19 February) from 8pm.Siobhán Fletcher has been finding out more about the service from current volunteers Jim MacGregor, Richard Allen and Judith Bartram.
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Manx Newscast: Peel Commissioners 'disappointed' former minister failed to engage over area plan
Monday, 17 February 2025
Peel Commissioners says it's 'disappointing' that the former cabinet office minister didn't speak to them about the amount of land zoned for residential development in the Draft North and West Area Plan.Kate Lord-Brennan, MHK for Glenfaba and Peel, who oversaw the plan until she resigned at the end of last year, said the local authority had submitted this land to the consultation. The local authority claims its submissions and responses are public, whilst Ms Lord-Brennan has stated she will be voting against it when it gets to Tynwald.Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking t...
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Manx Newscast: Children's Champ: Services need to be 'good enough for one's own child'
Monday, 17 February 2025
The Children's Champion says the provision of services across the Island need to be 'good enough for one's own child'.Kerry Sharpe's second annual report, covering the period of April 2023-24, is to be debated in Tynwald this week.Within it, she makes seven recommendations; largely focussed on children with complex needs, young carers, and looked after children.Siobhán Fletcher has been taking a closer look and has this special Newscast.
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Manx Newscast: Tree expert highlights need for large scale planting programme
Thursday, 13 February 2025
Thousands of trees around the Island have been lost inrecent severe storms. It’s at a time when the Island is facing the loss of up to90% of its Elm and Ash stocks through disease.It’s a grim prospect and one which a local tree expertbelieves requires immediate action to prevent long-term environmental damage to the Island.Ben Brooker thinks a large-scale tree planting programmemust be progressed with some urgency.He’s been talking to Simon Richardson.
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Manx Newscast: Change of plan in proposals for 'Manx Pension Guarantee'
Thursday, 13 February 2025
In a matter of days the Isle of Man Treasury was set to propose changes to the Manx State Pension, but this morning we're hearing there's been a change of plan.The so-called Manx Pension Guarantee would have seen those on the pension from 5 April 2019 onwards diverted away from the triple lock - starting this year.It proved to be one of the most contentious issues with members of the house of keys this week pushing to debate that decision separately from the Budget.So, instead, the Isle of Man Treasury will propose a 4.1 percent increase to both the basic Retirement Pension and Manx State P...
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Manx Newscast: Should all the Island's taxis be electric vehicles?
Thursday, 13 February 2025
Should all the taxis on the Isle of Man be electric?That's the question government is asking, as it launches a new survey.The Climate Transformation Team wants to gather information about the feasibility of electrifying the Island's fleet.We hear from one driver who's sceptical about the move, and another whose already transitioned their whole fleet to EVs.
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Manx Newscast: Iron Age divination spoon discovered on the Isle of Man
Wednesday, 12 February 2025
A 2000-year-old bronze spoon believed to have been used for ‘telling the future’ has been discovered on private land in Patrick, on the West Coast of the Isle of Man.The bronze spoon, dating to the Iron Age, was found by metal detectorist Rob Middleton on land owned by farmer, David Anderson. Similar artefacts have been found in Britain, Ireland and France, but this is only the 28th example discovered worldwide, and the first from the Isle of Man.Siobhán Fletcher caught up with Rob and Allison Fox, Curator for Archaeology for Manx National Heritage, to find out more.
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Manx Newscast: Why will some green lanes be closed during TT?
Tuesday, 11 February 2025
A number of green lanes will be closed during the TT period this year to combat damage being caused by off-road bikers.The Department of Infrastructure has applied for temporary closures of a small number of routes between 23 May to 6 June.The lanes selected are on the uplands and are generally dead-ends that lead to areas of open hillside in the vicinity of the TT Course.Infrastructure Minister Dr Michelle Haywood - speaking live on Manx Radio Breakfast this morning - explained the move.