The government doesn’t yet know the total cost of business support packages to accompany the minimum wage increase in April.
Treasury Minister Dr Alex Allinson told MHKs the details of the “time limited” and targeted scheme will be announced in this week’s Tynwald sitting.
The package is intended to assist sectors most affected, particularly hospitality and retail.
Under questioning from Julie Edge, Dr Allinson said: “The total estimated cost of business support packages to accompany the minimum wage increase in April has not yet been finalised.”
Rob Callister argued for broader action, saying: “The central government should be doing more to actually look at identifying these costs and then looking at ways of driving down energy costs, food costs and transport costs.”
When asked about business concerns, Dr Allinson said representatives wanted “to work collaboratively with government to overcome some of the significant pressures that our local economy is facing”.