Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan set out a Budget of focus to build for the future in the Manx economy today.

Presenting his fourth Budget the Ayre and Michael MHK said the blueprint was aimed at putting the spotlight on a sustainable future.

He said it was aimed at enabling the Isle of Man Government to meet its fiscal plan, grow the economy, deliver essential capital projects, support hard-working families and improve the lives of vulnerable members of the community.

The minister announced a package of measures aimed at supporting low to middle-income earners, developing infrastructure and boosting business and jobs.

The highlights include a fourth consecutive rise in personal tax allowance and targeted increases in benefits and allowances for parents, carers, pensioners and people with disabilities.

Mr Cannan said: ’The five-year plan is succeeding in placing the island in a strong position and it’s the right time to highlight how carefully selecting our objectives - and delivering on them - will continue to ensure the island remains a special place to live and work.’

The minister revealed the Isle of Man Government’s accounts, supported by a drawdown from the Public Service Employees Pension Reserve, are forecasting a surplus of £11.1m in the current year - representing an increase of £9m on the budgeted amount - and that Treasury’s five-year financial plan designed to reduce reliance on reserves remains on target.

Tax receipts are forecast to be higher than expected and low unemployment has led to savings being made on welfare payments. A total of 427 new taxpayers have been added to the workforce during the past year, while 147 employers have registered with the Income Tax Division.

Looking ahead to the new financial year, the Minister highlighted a number of initiatives to support low to middle-income workers and improve residents’ personal circumstances:

There will be a fourth consecutive increase to the Personal Tax Allowance to £14,250, leading to around 465 people being lifted out of the income tax net

A rise in the National Insurance Earning Threshold to £138 is said to benefit 41,000 people. This has been offset by a 5% (£39) rise in the Upper Earnings Limit that will see up to 3,500 paying more National Insurance contributions.

A 2% targeted rise will improve the circumstances of 7,000 families who receive child benefit and 4,000 people in receipt of disability living allowance and attendance allowance

Around 400 people who live in nursing homes will see the rate of their nursing care contribution increase by 3.6%, and 1,000 pensioners and 300 people with disabilities who get income support will benefit from a 5.2% increase in their pensioner and disability premiums

A 3.9% rise in the basic/Manx State Pension, increasing weekly amounts by up to £7 for a single pensioner and up to £15 for a pensioner couple.

Funds totalling £10 million will be focused on the island’s response to the climate change emergency and will empower departments to bring forward initiatives that support the actions and objectives of the independent climate change report compiled by Professor James Curran.

Investment in health and social care services will total £14m. This will include £5 million dedicated to healthcare transformation and £2.8 million to fulfil the standard 2% pay increase. Capital schemes will receive an investment of £4 million while £2.2m will support the development of new and expanding services as well as strengthening the vital connection provided by the air ambulance.

More than £500,000 will be invested in the Island’s young people through apprenticeships, providing skills relevant to the Manx economy, and further investment in digital infrastructure will see £1.5m committed to the rollout of fibre broadband Island-wide.

Mr Cannan announced that the National Insurance Holiday Scheme, a successful relocation incentive launched last year to support employers with their recruitment programmes and to increase the Island’s population, would continue for another 12 months.

Some £5m will be set aside for schemes to support new businesses.

Mr Cannan said: ’We are building on the foundations set during earlier Budgets and focusing on sustainability as the key theme while addressing challenges presented by local and international economic conditions.

’The past three years have seen high employment and a buoyant jobs market due to this government’s measures which have stimulated the economy and enabled more people to find work.

’Our ongoing fiscal plan continues to focus on exercising sound financial control and delivering value for money public services, while rebalancing the public finances and achieving a further reduction in Government’s reliance on funding from reserves.’