MHK Daphne Caine wants the government to increase levels of pre-school credit and child benefit.

Mrs Caine, whose ’children’s champion’ role is to advocate the interests of children on a cross-departmental basis, raised the issue in Tynwald this week, following revelations in the 2016 census that birth rates had dropped by 26 per cent between 2010-2016 and there was a net migration loss in the 20-35 age group.

In Tynwald this week Mrs Caine asked Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas what plans he had to review levels of pre-school credit and child benefit.

Mr Thomas replied: ’If the member has any evidence that increasing these payments would lead to an increase in the birth rate then I would be happy to receive it and take it into account and share it with the appropriate ministers and officers.’

He added: ’It is important that we take a considered response to the 2016 census and do not jump to conclusions.’

Mrs Caine (MHK for Garff) said in the UK pre-school children were entitled to the equivalent of 15 hours per week free education or child care, which was much higher than the equivalent pre-school credit in the Isle of Man.

The pre-school credit in the Isle of Man, of £1,700, was less than half of that available to parents in the UK and that could be a contributory factor to the ’grand exodus’ of people in their 20s and also dis-incentivise parents from going to work.

Bill Shimmins (Middle) called for measures to encourage Manx students to return after university, to combat the decline in that age group.