Isle of Man business lobby welcomes plans to reform government

The chamber of commerce president Kristan McDonald said change was welcome

Isle of Man government reforms promised by the chief minister will help "remove barriers to business growth", the island's chamber of commerce has said.

Alfred Cannan announced plans to look at the structure of departments and appoint non-executive advisers to them to offer scrutiny and advice.

Chamber president Kristan McDonald said the statement had the support of the island's business community.

The body had been asking for a change in culture "for a long time", he added.

In a speech in Tynwald on Tuesday, Mr Cannan announced a series of reviews into the structure of the government, which he said was "too big and unwieldy".

It comes after an employment tribunal found the island's most senior doctor had been unfairly dismissed, a ruling which had "damaged confidence" in the government, the chief minister added.

'Industry experts'

Mr McDonald said a more "efficient, productive, and leaner" public service would help the island's economy through improved services and less competition for jobs.

"There is a big skill shortage on at the moment, every job that the public sector takes is one that is gone from the private sector," he added.

Mr Cannan told Tynwald members he would give an update on the role of the chief secretary in October, after Will Greenhow took early retirement from the position on Monday.

Welcoming the move, Mr McDonald said: "Culture comes from the top down, so getting that position right is going to be critical."

He said plans to appoint non-executive directors on government boards to provide advice and scrutiny would also be positive.

"We need to make sure it is not being funnelled through cronyism or nepotism or anything like that, however, we do need industry experts in those industries, otherwise there is no point having people on these boards to advise," he added.