Chief Minister Howard Quayle has given a good idea of what we can expect from the final year of his government.

Mr Quayle was asked by Speaker Juan Watterson what items the government expects to move in each sitting of Tynwald for 2020-21.

Politicians are due to return to Tynwald on October 20, having not sat since July.

When they return, there will be only 10 sittings scheduled for the Quayle administration, but the government has plenty it wants to get done.

The October sitting will see Mr Quayle make a statement on the state of the nation, while an update will also be given on the Programme for Government, in what is also its final year.

Other hot topics due to return to the political spotlight include the much opposed Area Plan for the East, the plans for Manx Gas’ future relationship with the government and island residents, medicinal cannabis, adult social care services and the Little Blue Book, the unaudited accounts for the financial year, will also make an appearance.

November is set to be a busy month too with the Department of Health and Social Care annual report due, alongside the DHSC complaints report and an update on the mental health and wellbeing strategy.

Meanwhile a response to the select committee on the Fireworks Act 2004 public petition report is due, as are updates on Brexit and Covid-19 legislation.

The calendar year is due to end with a busy December as the government intends to table the Dark Blue Book, the audited accounts for the financial year ending March 2020 as well as a report to Tynwald on pensions and the voluntary defined contribution scheme and a range of issues related to Brexit.

In his response to Mr Watterson’s written Tynwald question, he said that the list ’serves only as an indicator of the items of Government Business that are expected in each sitting of Tynwald for Session 2020-2021 and cannot be taken as definitive.’

The Bills Mr Quayle expects to see before the end of the year include the Education Bill, the Manx Care Bill and the Climate Change Bill.

He added: ’Items in relation to our island’s international commitments and relationships, including UK and EU trade and beneficial ownership, and also our continued response to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic, will be brought forward as necessary.’

Early indications for 2021 include the equality strategy in January while Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan’s final Budget of this administration will dominate February’s Tynwald sitting.

However, there is no mention of the Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Bill which is due to head back to the Legislative Council this year.