A series of written has revealed that only a handful of employees across government‑owned companies and public bodies have been earning minimum wage.
In her first question, Rushen MHK Michelle Haywood asked Treasury Minister Chris Thomas how many staff at Laxey Glen Mills, the Manx Development Corporation, Manx Radio, the Steam Packet Company and any other Treasury‑owned entities were on minimum wage.
The Treasury Minister confirmed that none of the companies reported any employees earning the minimum wage as of January 31, 2026, and that Treasury holds no other interests in companies employing staff.
Minimum Wage
A separate question to Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Clare Barber showed a different picture at Isle of Man Meats, where three employees were earning minimum wage on the same date.
Dr Haywood also asked the Cabinet Office for a full breakdown of minimum‑wage earners across government departments, offices and statutory boards.
Minister David Ashford reported that the minimum wage stood at £12.25 per hour, and that government employed 2.49 full‑time equivalent (FTE) staff at that rate.
All were working under supported permitted work contracts, split between:
- Department of Infrastructure: 0.41 FTE
- Manx Care: 2.08 FTE
Minister Ashford added that 3.00 FTE apprentices were paid below minimum wage in line with legislation, which allows lower rates for apprentices under 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship.
Statutory boards not on the government HR system, including Manx Utilities and the Isle of Man Post Office, confirmed separately that they also have no employees earning minimum wage.
