Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the Chief Minister’s decision to undertake a Council of Ministers reshuffle.
It describes it as a positive and timely step to sharpen its focus in the last nine months of the current administration.
Chamber President Claire Watterson said: “We support the reshuffle. With only nine months remaining in this administration, clarity, focus, and delivery are essential. This is the right moment to ensure government is aligned around outcomes that genuinely support the Island’s economy and its people.
“Businesses are looking for stability, proportionate policy decisions, and a clear sense of direction. A Council of Ministers that’s more focused on the economic priorities, and more in tune with business needs, creates a real opportunity to support economic growth this year. If the new Council of Ministers delivers on the most pressing economic and business issues, it will also create a firm foundation for the new government that will be formed after the General Election in September.”
New Minister To Look at Min Wage
Chamber welcomes comments from the new Treasury Minister Chris Thomas MHK saying his immediate focus will be to address concerns surrounding the introduction of the minimum wage by taking a slower approach to the increase being proposed.
Chamber CEO Rebecca George said: “Chamber has consistently supported a fair, evidence-based approach to wage-setting that protects lower-paid workers while remaining sustainable for employers and the wider economy.
“Minimum wage policy needs to strike the right balance. Fair pay matters, but so does business viability, particularly for small and labour-intensive employers. We look forward seeing more details from the new Treasury Minister regarding the minimum wage.”
Chamber says it will continue to engage constructively with government as the new Council of Ministers sets out its priorities.
