The Treasury Minister has apologised after the department failed to meet a Tynwald‑mandated June 2026 deadline to report on reforms to discretionary powers in income‑related benefits.
Answering questions in the House of Keys, Minister Chris Thomas said it became clear in late May that the work “had not progressed sufficiently”, citing resource pressures and the lack of specialist expertise throughout 2025.
He stressed this “does not excuse the failure”, but said work has now restarted.
Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper criticised the admission that “little substantive work” had been carried out despite Tynwald giving Treasury 12 months to deliver. He questioned whether the department simply chose not to act on a resolution of the island’s parliament.
Missed Deadline
Mr Thomas rejected that suggestion, saying the delay was “not a matter of choice” but the result of competing pressures.
He said a full report is now expected for October Tynwald, with Council of Ministers aiming for completion by December.
Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Tim Glover pressed the minister on why no public statement had been made to Tynwald, arguing that an email to members was not sufficiently respectful of the court.
Mr Thomas said ministers had decided an email update was appropriate at the time but apologised “if that’s the way the Member feels”.
Mr Hooper also asked whether Treasury’s difficulty in applying new discretionary powers suggested wider problems with existing discretion across the benefits system. Mr Thomas said this would be addressed in the forthcoming report.
