The Chief Minister has said the government has never had a target of the island’s population reaching 100,000.
That is despite available government documents and websites clearly stating that it is.
Alf Cannan was asked about what assessments have been carried out on health and school demands if the target was reached during February’s Tynwald sitting.
“I do recognise there has been much discussion over the last three years, around the figure referenced by the honourable member’s question, and in many quarters, it is misunderstood and still gets quoted as a government ambition,” Mr Cannan said.
“It is not, and it never has been.”
That figure is however still listed as part of the Draft Economic Strategy on the Department for Enterprise’s website
Island Plan
But Lawrie Hooper pointed to the foreword of the 2024 Island Plan, written by the Chief Minister, which states: “In 2022 the Island Plan, this administration set out a bold vision for the next 10 to 15 years, 5000 new jobs, a £10 billion economy, and a target population of 100,000.”
Mr Hooper said: “I’m choosing to believe that the Chief Minister simply misspoke here this morning.”
In response, Mr Cannan said: “I need to be absolutely clear that figure is attached to the 5,000 new jobs figure. That is the clarity.”
Jason Moorhouse questioned whether the current salary threshold of £25,447.50 for workers from outside the Common Travel Area was attracting the right people to contribute positively to government revenue.
The Chief Minister confirmed the threshold is “currently under review” and a new figure will be brought forward shortly.