The amount the island spends on defence has been called into question.

Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Jason Moorhouse asked the Treasury Minister what contribution has been paid to the UK Government in each of the last three years for defence and international relations.

The question at this week’s House of Keys sitting led David Ashford MHK to give a statement.

He said: ’The Isle of Man government pays the UK government an annual sum in recognition of defence and other common services provided on its behalf by the UK government.

’This annual amount payable is determined through a written agreement known as the Isle of Man Contribution Agreement 1994.’

The amounts paid in the last three years are:

2018/19 £3,121,881.25

2019/20 £3,177,762.25

2020/21 £3,236,233.76

The Treasury Minister then responded to a supplementary question of whether this is good value for money.

Mr Ashford said: ’Personally, I do believe this is good value for money.

’I believe having that written agreement in place provides reassurance both from the Isle of Man side and also from the UK side as well.’

The amount paid annually is dictated by the written agreement, and it increases each year based on the percentage figure of the gross domestic product deflator that is included within the UK budget each year.

Mr Ashford stated that the fact the Isle of Man has a written agreement gives us an advantage over the other crown dependencies as they do not.

He said that the written agreement lays out the terms in which it can be renegotiated - it cannot be unilaterally changed by either side, ’there has to be a full negotiation’.

Mr Ashford added: ’My understanding is that is not in place for the other crown dependencies.’