The government does not have one single strategy on enhanced salary packages to attract key workers.

In Tynwald last week Julie Edge (Onchan) asked Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas what the policy was on golden hellos and other methods to attract workers in areas where there were skill shortages.

She argued that an overall policy across government would be appropriate.

The minister said: ’There is no single policy on the use of enhanced salary packages for recruitment to the public sector for workers who have skills that are in short supply.

’The approach varies depending on the terms and conditions of the relevant profession, the relative shortage of the supply of the skills sought, the need to ensure the continuity of public services and the going market rate at the time.’

He said salary package enhancements could come in the form of ’golden hellos, recruitment premia or market-related pay scales’.

The minister added: ’The balance between the central HR function and the employing bodies is always one that needs to be kept under review.’

There is a golden hello package - including lump sum payments - for secondary school teachers in certain subjects where there is a shortage, but Mr Thomas said the basic salary for the actual position remained the same.

’In the medical profession there is a scheme for paying recruitment and retention premia which can either be paid as a single sum or on a recurrent basis - and I could go on through several other professions,’ he continued, adding it was ’vital’ the Office of Human Resources ensured that no laws, such as the Equality Act, or good practice were being breached.