Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan has said he is ’proud’ that four local businesses are prepared to help residents through this difficult period.

The bosses of Manx Gas, Manx Utilities (MU), Manx Telecom and Sure have said their companies will work with residents who may have difficult paying bills during the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure they aren’t cut off.

Philip King, chief executive of MU said the organisation has staff available ’at all times to ensure services are not cut off and emergency solutions are available’.

Mr King added: ’Our team are on standby 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to assist customers in ensuring you receive your essential services at this time. We are making fault response and key meter customers our main priority.

’If a customer should have any concerns at this difficult time we would please ask them to get in touch via our website contact form or call 687687 during office hours to speak to a member of our team. That same telephone number remains in place for emergencies outside of working hours.’

Ian Plenderlieth, Group Managing Director of Manx Gas, also reassured customers they will not be left without supply in the coming months.

He said: ’We recognise the challenges people are currently facing and will look at any case sympathetically where someone has been affected. No one who has been materially impacted by the coronavirus crisis will be cut off during the next 3 months.’

And the island’s two main telecoms providers, Sure and Manx Telecom, are also working to ensure customers don’t face large fees for late payments or risk losing their coverage at a time when residents have never relied on internet and phones as much as we do now.

Mike Phillips, chief executive of Sure Isle of Man said: ’We are committed to supporting all islanders during this difficult time and if you are facing financial hardship we would encourage you to contact us to discuss how we can help - which may involve payment arrangements without fear of late payment charges and interest being applied to outstanding bills.’

His Manx Telecom counterpart Gary Lamb said: ’’If you are suffering financial hardship due to coronavirus please contact us. We will work with you to try and relieve some of the worry.

’If you ring us and explain your situation we will make sure we keep your service working, agree a delay in your payments and even a repayment plan if necessary.’

Mr Lamb added that the company will be ’introducing a number of temporary measures to help reduce costs and to help ensure people can stay in touch’.

In response to the commitment from the businesses, Mr Cannan said: ’In these unprecedented times I am proud to see our local businesses offering their support and stepping up to ease some of the financial pressures for the island’s residents.

’Businesses are going above and beyond to ensure each customer has someone to talk to about their accounts and their specific situations.

If you find yourself struggling, please get in contact with your supplier and talk to them about how they can help.’