A couple who moved to the island from New Zealand six months ago are now going back after being defeated by the island’s work permit system.

Maggie and Rod Stewart came to the Isle of Man to be with their daughter and first grand child last August but without work they are now forced to return.

Mr Stewart, who is 62, is a qualified joiner and had hoped to work up to his retirement. Mrs Stewart, 60, is a qualified accountant and she too had intended to work until officially retiring.

Applying for a self-employed work permit so he could work for local contractors, he completed a questionnaire and business plan and was told his application would be ’placed before the committee’. Next, he was granted a sub contractor’s tax exemption certificate.

’But the office contacted me again. First they said my application had to go before the committee again. Then they changed their mind saying they needed to see my qualifications as a joiner.’

Having qualified more than 40 years ago, he was unable to get copies, but he said he was willing to undertake any trial to prove his competence.

’The only way of overcoming this was to do a college course to be assessed and this would cost me £3,000,’ he said.

’Yet in the Job Centre there were three vacancies for joiners and they told me one had been there for three months, unfilled. I understand why the permit system is in place and I agree with it but it seems pointless when there are jobs there and I’m not allowed to work.’

Frustrated, with dwindling savings, they have decided with regret to return to New Zealand.

Mrs Stewart also applied for a permit to work as a self employed accountant, only to be told in the permits office: ’There’s no call for that service here.’

She said she had made repeated calls but they were never returned. Frustrated, she withdrew her application.

A spokesman for the Department of Economic Development said: ’During December 2016 more than 90 per cent of applications were processed within the 10-day turnaround target.

’The Control of Employment legislation requires that the Department verify that anyone who intends to work in a construction trade is suitably qualified, either by providing copies of qualifications, or by producing an industry recognised "skills card". There is no requirement to undertake a competency assessment specifically in relation to work permits.’