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: Treasury Minister explains the Manx Pension Guarantee
Wednesday, 29 January 2025
The treasury minister says a proposal to introduce a Manx Pension Guarantee is to give stability to the National Insurance Fund. Alex Allinson says through this process he hopes to drive consumer and business confidence and provide long term stability and credibility on the Isle of ManThe measure, if approved by Tynwald, would mean the Manx State Pension would rise annually from April 2025 by either the preceding September’s figure for Manx CPI inflation or 2%, whichever is higher.
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MANX NEWSCAST: David Cretney declares for Douglas South in Local Authority Election
Tuesday, 28 January 2025
A former MHK standing in the Local Authority Election in April says trust in politicians is 'more important now' than it ever has been. David Cretney is hoping to represent Douglas South for Douglas City Council and has housing, dog fouling and protecting public parks and spaces as the key topics on his manifesto.He believes his previous political experience will help him in the role of councillor if elected and is currently the first candidate to declare they are standing.Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him.
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Manx Newscast - January Tynwald in Brief
Monday, 27 January 2025
It wasn't just the storm causing headlines on the Isle of Man during the third week of 2025.If you missed any of the January Tynwald sitting, Phil Gawne takes you through the highlights.
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Manx Newscast: All you need to know about the WEEE processes
Monday, 27 January 2025
Bulk shipping, fuel surcharges, minimum wage and disposal are the reasons for increases or introductory prices to get rid of electronic or electrical waste (WEEE) at amenity sites. So says the commercial manager of the company that has the tender to dispose of the items. Paul Corteen from Middle Park Recycling and Middle Park Metals says the pricing is due to changes in enforcement in the UK:
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Manx Newscast: ManxSPCA issues advice ahead of Storm Éowyn
Thursday, 23 January 2025
If you can - keep your pets indoors and avoid walks tomorrow.That's the advice from the ManxSPCA as Storm Éowyn heads towards the Island.It has issued guidance online for dogs, cats, birds, small pets and larger animals, including livestock.Krysia Boruch is from the charity, she's been speaking to Siobhán Fletcher.
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Measures against foot and mouth disease strengthened
Tuesday, 21 January 2025
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture has strengthened measures to prevent Foot and Mouth Disease from reaching the Island. It comes as Germany reported one confirmed case there last week. The department has updated legislation, which aligns with the UK, banning the commercial imports of cattle, sheep, pigs, deer, buffalo and their products. Although no cases have been reported in the British Isles this year, previous outbreaks of the disease in 2001 and 2007, led to millions of livestock animals being slaughtered and cost the public and private sectors billions of pounds.In t...
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Two-part Minimum Wage increase to go before Tynwald in February
Monday, 20 January 2025
If plans are approved in Tynwald next month the Island's minimum wage could be increased this year to match the Living Wage (£13.05).It would rise in two stages; from £11.45 per hour to £12.25 from 1 April, and then up to £13.05 from 1 October.In this edition of Newscast, Lewis Foster asks Treasury Minister Alex Allinson why this proposal has been put forward, despite concerns raised by Manx businesses about the impact it would have on them.
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Manx Newscast: Health minister discusses planned doctors strike
Friday, 17 January 2025
Doctors on the Isle of Man are due to strike for the first time in history.But what is government's role in finding a mutually agreeable solution with members of the British Medical Association?The Health Minister Claire Christian has been speaking to Amy Griffiths:
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Manx Newscast: Event to focus on young people, substance misuse, gambling and gaming
Thursday, 16 January 2025
Issues relating to young people and substance misuse, gambling and gaming in the Isle of Man will be put under the spotlight next week. Addiction charity Motiv8, alongside Manx Care, is working to raise awareness of the services available here in order to provide treatment, support and education.Next Wednesday (22 January) there'll be a series of presentations on early intervention and education in schools and the exploitation of young people in the local drug culture.It's taking place at the iMuseum on 22 January from 1pm - 3.35pm. Lewis has been speaking to Motiv8 chief executive Thea Oze...
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Manx Newscast: Onchan MHK doctor dispute has been ongoing for 'a significant time'
Thursday, 16 January 2025
Onchan MHK Julie Edge says Manx Care needs to listen to the public and provide 'a proper health service'. It comes as doctors on the Isle of Man plan to walk out for two-days next week as part of an ongoing row over pay.The health body says it will make every effort to keep services open where possible.
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Manx Newscast: Is public sector pay leaving some workers behind?
Thursday, 16 January 2025
Public sector workers who are providing essential services on the Isle of Man are being ‘left behind’ in terms of pay.Unite the Union and Prospect are preparing for further talks with the Public Services Commission this week after a new pay deal was put on the table.Debbie Halsall is the regional officer for Unite - she told Tessa Hawley she wants an explanation for why a sliding scale can't be introduced:
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Manx Newscast: Father welcomes drug policy
Tuesday, 14 January 2025
A parent on the Isle of Man who has been campaigning for the legalisation of drugs after loosing his sons to a MDMA overdose is welcoming a drug policy.The Isle of Man Government is preparing a new approach aimed at reducing the harms associated with drug use.It follows a directive from Tynwald in November 2023.
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Manx Newscast: Preparing for the great copper network switch-off
Monday, 13 January 2025
You might, recently, have received a booklet through the door from Manx Telecom regarding the switch-off of the copper network.It gets underway this year - a project expected to be completed by 2029.So, whether you have fibre yet or not, at some point over the next five years, you probably will.Lewis Foster has been speaking to Manx Telecom CEO Gary Lamb about what we can expect to see happen in the months ahead:
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Manx Newscast: Mother's last wish to be buried on Island fulfilled
Friday, 10 January 2025
The children of a Manx woman are thanking the Steam Packet for saluting and honouring their mother on her final journey home. Described as a 'Manx Viking Queen', Florence Jean Prest (formally Looney) died in her UK home surrounded by her children at the age of 94. Her wish was to be brought back to the Island and laid to rest alongside her parents at Kirk Braddan Cemetry.
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Manx Newscast: Climbing Kilimanjaro for Looky
Friday, 10 January 2025
Nine people from the Isle of Man are taking on the challenge of a lifetime - all in memory of a special man.Lucas Martin was just 21 when he died suddenly of meningitis in September 2023.Now, some of his nearest and dearest are setting off to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to try and raise money for the charity set up in his name - Looky's Aid.Among the 'fellowship' are his dad Brett, his best friend Patrick and Patrick's stepdad Richard.Patrick started by telling Amy Griffiths how he got the idea:
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Manx Newscast: PSM pensioners want to see solution to gas woes
Thursday, 9 January 2025
Pensioners in Port St Mary are calling for regulations to be put in place to protect those living in sheltered accommodation.According to a letter from the Southern Sheltered Housing Joint Board, seen by Manx Radio, heating costs are increasing by almost £30.
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Manx Newscast: Passengers needs must come first at Steam Packet
Wednesday, 8 January 2025
A new sea services framework should put passengers needs first.That's the view of the chair of the Regulations of the Steam Packet Company Select Committee, which recently published its report following a year-long investigation into how the ferry operator is run.In this episode of the Manx Newscast, Chair of the Committee Jason Moorhouse speaks to Manx Radio's Sian Cowper:
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Manx Newscast: Manx author releases vegan cook book
Monday, 6 January 2025
Are you taking part in Veganuary this year? It's a challenge that encourages people to eat healthier in the first month of the new year. Manx resident Michelle Garrett Chambers is a first-time author releasing her vegan book KISS Plant Based Eating.
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Manx Newscast: 'No answer' around NCAS situation says Ramsey Commissioners
Saturday, 28 December 2024
The chair of Ramsey Commissioners claims there's still 'no answer' to the Northern Civic Amenity Site situation but he believes the solution lies in rate reform. Rob Cowell says other northern authorities won't 'subsidise' Bride Commissioners. He adds it's been a 'tough' year for the local authority following failed boundary extension plans and the death of two board members.Despite the challenges Mr Cowell is encouraging people to stand for a seat in the 2025 local authority elections.Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him:
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Manx Newscast: The News Review of 2024
Friday, 27 December 2024
Siobhán Fletcher looks back at the stories that hit the headlines over the last 12 months.
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Manx Newscast: Council says 'fine balance' between investing in housing and providing value
Thursday, 26 December 2024
Douglas Council says a housing association is a 'short-term fix' to the Island's housing problem and won't improve the situation. The local authority is the largest social housing provider on the Isle of Man.She's committed to continuing to lobby to change how housing is budgeted for by government.Councillor Wells added increasing the rates at the beginning of the year, by 12 percent allowed the local authority to maintain its essential services.Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to her:
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Manx Newscast: BMA members vote in support of industrial action
Tuesday, 24 December 2024
Doctors on the Isle of Man could go on strike early next year as members of the British Medical Association have voted in favour of taking industrial action.It's in response to an ongoing dispute over pay with Manx Care.Both parties say they're open to talks, so what happens next?Manx Radio has been speaking to BMA representatives Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Sean Crerand and Chair of the Isle of Man Medical Society Dr Prakash Thiagarajan.
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Manx Newscast: Garff Commissioners say completed projects helped by rates increase
Tuesday, 24 December 2024
Garff Commissioners say despite 'unexpected' challenges - including a landslide and floods - it's been a 'good' year for the local authority.An increase in rates meant a number of projects were completed including showers on the promenade and a new skate park.The lack of sewage treatment works is still said to be a 'problem' for the parish but a compromise has now been reached with a proposed location for a new facility in Axnfell Plantation.Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to Commissioner Melanie Christian:
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Manx Newscast: New projects dependent on affordability says Marown Commissioners
Monday, 23 December 2024
Marown Commissioners is warning its residents their rates are likely to go up again next year.The local authority has been reflecting on 2024 saying it’s been about working with parishioners to encourage them to take pride in the area they live.Projects in the upcoming year include a new street light scheme to improve visibility on the main road and help residents keep safe. In February this year Marown increased its rates by 7.8 percent to ensure a 'balanced t'. Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to Commissioner Alison Lynch:
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Manx Newscast: Money raised by Daz’s ’Walk of Life’ was 'phenomenal'
Monday, 23 December 2024
Back in August this year we heard from Andreas woman Liz Hignett, who was about to embark on a unique challenge in memory of her late husband.She took on two 'walks of life' to raise funds for the Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association - in memory of Darren, who died of bladder cancer last year.She was aiming for £500, but received nearly £4,000 in sponsorship!Siobhán Fletcher chatted to her before she set off - and caught up with her again recently to reminisce on her huge achievement.
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Manx Newscast: Should Market Square be reopened to vehicles?
Friday, 20 December 2024
A group of former Castletown politicians say residents need to support the town's businesses during the festive season. John Cringle, Richard Ronan and Tony Brown claim a decision made by the infrastructure minister and the commissioners to close Market Square to cars will mean the traders will struggle during winter.The commissioners has previously said it's 'committed' to 'balancing' the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors while 'fostering' a town centre that is functional and welcoming.Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to Mr Cringle, Mr Ronan and Mr Brown:
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Manx Newscast - December Tynwald in Brief
Thursday, 12 December 2024
It was the last Tynwald sitting of 2024 - find out what happened with Political Correspondent Phil Gawne.
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Manx Newscast: Police seeing an increase in anti-social behaviour in Douglas
Thursday, 12 December 2024
Police are urging parents to take responsibility for their children and make sure they know where they are during the festive period.It follows an increase in anti-social behaviour from youngsters - predominantly teenagers.Officers say dealing with incidents is ‘labour intensive’ and there will be ‘consequences’ for those involved.Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking with Sergeant Pam Robinson and PC Louise Kennaugh.
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Manx Newscast: Bold plans to tackle Island's housing crisis to be debated
Monday, 9 December 2024
The Housing and Communities Board has drawn up a policy response to a comprehensive document that looks at the Isle of Man's housing need now, and in the future.The Board will hand its recommendations to Tynwald for debate.Chair David Ashford spoke to Manx Radio's Christian Jones.
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Manx Newscast: T'is the season for flu
Friday, 6 December 2024
There's concern in England about a significant rise in the number of patients admitted to hospital with the flu compared to this time last year.A 352-percent rise, to be exact.Lewis Foster has been catching up with Dr Ross Keat, Consultant and Deputy Director of Public Health Isle of Man, about how the Island is faring.