Government wants more migrants to fill job gaps

The Manx government's plan to increase the island's working population through inward migration has been outlined to Tynwald by the Council of Ministers.

It follows a July 2024 report examining the island's migration incentives and disincentives. The study's conclusions were received by Tynwald in October.

In this month's sitting of the Manx parliament, Cabinet Office Minister David Ashford said measures were being taken to improve the immigration system, to revise visa routes, and to develop immigration incentives and disincentives.

He said Manx workers would "come first", adding that the government would "seek to attract workers from off-island only where gaps cannot be filled locally".

In a debate lasting more than two hours, Ashford updated members on the Council of Ministers' report.

He said "inward migration and local workforce development" was "at the heart of the government's broader economic strategy" to create and fill 5,000 additional jobs by 2032.

With the island's unemployment level standing at 0.7% as of May, Ashford said "vacancies continue to exceed the number of jobseekers".

He said this was especially the case in "critical sectors like health and social care".

The Isle of Man is also facing "natural population decline", the minister added.

In 2024 there were 907 deaths recorded on the island, compared with only 485 births.

The report outlined that between the 2021 census and the first quarter of 2024, the island's population increased by 1,285.

The average age of people moving to the Isle of Man during that time was 39.

Ashford laid out a "set of policy principles", which included the need to invest in "upskilling Manx workers" and maintaining island security through "the integrity" of the Common Travel Area.

Changes were being phased in over the next 36 months, he said, with a number "already under way"

Plans to introduce an immigration health surcharge have been approved in Tynwald.

Treasury Minister Alex Allinson said the rules would be consistent with the UK and put Isle of Man visa applicants on a "level playing field" with residents.

He said the "bulk of this money should go to the NHS" since it was "right" for it to be "invested in the healthcare of this island".

Additionally, there will be an increase in the minimum salary thresholds for visa holders, and improvements to the visa processing system.

Ashford also outlined plans to attract more young people to the island and to encourage the return of Manx youngsters.

He said they were "taking proactive steps to attract talent" by reviewing existing incentives and considering the "potential use of student loans".

They were also "developing a 'welcome home' package" to encourage Manx workers overseas to "return and contribute to the local economy", he added.

A pilot of this scheme is due to begin in April 2026.

Several MHKs, including Ramsey's Lawrie Hooper, raised concerns that the island could be treated as a "side door into the UK".

By having a lower salary threshold than the UK, he said it "leaves us open to be targeted by criminals" looking to access the UK via the island.

While acknowledging most people were "good", Hooper warned the report did not sufficiently consider the risks posed by those who would seek to exploit the different immigration systems.

This view was echoed by other MHKs, including Jason Moorhouse.

The Arbory, Castletown and Malew representative described the changes as leaving the island "vulnerable".

Concerns were also raised about modern slavery, where people are paid less than the minimum wage.

In response, Ashford said it was "an absolute scourge on our planet".

He stressed the Isle of Man had a "zero tolerance approach" to anyone seeking to move to the island and exploit people.

Summarising the government's strategy, Ashford said: "Over the next three years, these changes will tighten immigration controls and strengthen the resilience of our immigration system."

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