25 July 2026
PO Box 986 Douglas Isle of Man IM99 2TB
Isle of Man News Politics

Storms Cost Govt Over £1m

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture was given £1,054,200 by Treasury to assist with damage caused by Storm Darrah and Eowyn.

Following Treasury approval, the money was made available from the Contingency Fund for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 financial years.

The figure came to light following a written question from Glenfeba and Peel MHJ, Kate Lord-Brennan.

Ms Lord-Brennan ask The Minister for the Treasury, Dr Alex Allinson: “What departmental bids or business cases have been approved or supported this year with contingency funding”.

She also requested to know what contingency funding is and where it is drawn from.

Contingency Fund

In his response, the Treasury Minister revealed that to date the only bid or business case that has been approved or supported this financial year from the

Contingency Fund or the revenue contingency budget held by Treasury was to DEFA for the storm damage.

Allinson explained that the Contingency Fund aims to ensure that funding is provided to meet any unexpected or unplanned occurrences that are not in the approved revenue targets for Departments or Offices.

Further information on the Contingency Fund can be found within the Terms of Reference, which are published within the Financial Regulations under section FPN B.04 Internal Funds.

The Contingency Fund forms part of the internal reserves. Further information surrounding the funding of the internal reserves can be found in the Pink Book under section 9. The Reserves.

Costs

Dr Allinson added: “Expenditure incurred from internal reserves is a direct withdrawal from the general reserve fund and is provided for in the budget with estimated spend forming part of the structural deficit calculation.

“The revenue contingency budget held by Treasury can be accessed upon presentation of a robust business case should Departments or Boards encounter unanticipated costs that cannot be absorbed within the planned budget.

“As stated in the 2025-26 Pink Book, £10 million of the revenue contingency funding has been included specifically for potential Manx Care cost pressures.

“The Manx Care financial position is being closely monitored by Treasury.”

Charlie Morrey is a Broadcast & Multi Media Journalist for Manx.News and also is a Presenter on Energy FM. Charlie has previously written for Isle of Man Newspapers, magazines and also started her broadcasting career with Manx Radio.

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