The Council of Ministers says it has identified areas where it may need to draw up new policies, while affirming its commitment to relax work permit laws.

A report detailing amendments to the Programme for Government will be laid before Tynwald today (Tuesday).

It confirms plans to relax work permit restrictions and introduce affordable housing policies, as well as continue its open skies policy for air links.

As well as identifying areas where policy responses need to be redrawn, an explanatory memo says that some of the ’national indicators’ from the original document - meant to show whether a department has met targets - have been amended where the department ’found the original proposed data to measure the indicator to be difficult to collect’.

Although the report has been laid before this month’s Tynwald sitting, it is not the subject of debate. It could, however, be picked up at a future sitting.

In its introduction, the report says ’much has changed’ since the first Programme for Government was published more than a year ago.

’The Council of Ministers has considered several areas where government should ensure it focuses its attention and which will require clear policy responses where there are not already policies in the Programme for Government,’ he said.

The report acknowledges that the low unemployment rate brings with it other problems, especially for companies looking to expand.

’The Council of Ministers is agreed that the working population must grow,’ says the report.

’This includes a mix of additional work for those already here who are under-employed and attracting new people to the island to live and work.

’New policies to support this will include affordable housing, further changes to work permit legislation and closer working between departments.’

Brexit as another key area.

’Compliance with our World Trade Organisation obligations will be crucial if there is no free trade agreement between the UK and EU and UK trade reverts to WTO rules,’ says the report.

’In the event a UK/EU free trade agreement is reached, we will wish to be part of free trade agreements which the UK will negotiate with countries outside the EU.

’This is essential, as failure to comply and properly position the Isle of Man may result in a loss or diminution in the island’s ability to trade with the EU, possibly the rest the world, and also, perhaps most significantly, with the UK.’

Tax transparency and openness has come under higher levels of scrutiny since the original Programme for Government report, with the publication of the Paradise Papers putting the Isle of Man under the spotlight.

The report says the focus has also been driving by ’factions in the UK Parliament, the EU and also non-governmental organisations’.

It adds: ’We averted inclusion on the EU Council blacklist as a non-cooperative jurisdiction for tax purposes, published on December 5, due to our high-level commitment to address concerns about lack of legal substance requirements.

’We cannot fail to deliver on this commitment, as blacklisting remains a very real threat.’

Strategic transport links are pinpointed as a crucial area. The government’s relationship with the Steam Packet is frosty, with the underlying threat it might seek to take direct control of the island’s sea links.

’There are challenges ahead for our sea links in the ongoing negotiations to secure a suitable ferry berth in Liverpool and for our air links in ensuring that the island remains well served by air routes to key destinations in an increasingly competitive market that is based on volume,’ says the report.

’The Council of Ministers has agreed to continue the existing open skies policy, and this is reflected in this updated document.’