The costs of running and staffing the Manx government’s office in Brussels have been revealed following a Freedom of Information request.

Head of the Brussels office David Corlett is paid a salary of between £62,454 and £75,899 but received additional payments totalling £89,838 in the 12 months up the end of September this year, the Cabinet Office confirmed in its FoI response.

Expenditure relating to the office totalled £32,908 and comprised office rent of £19,773, office costs and services of £5,485 and staff travel and accommodation costs of £7,544, including travel costs of island-based staff visiting Brussels.

The Brussels office is staffed by one full-time head, whose salary is based on the civil service grade 7 salary band, which is between £62,454 and £75,899. But the Cabinet Office confirmed the role is subject to ’an additional spine point uplift and entitled to have certain costs of living met’.

It explained that the additional costs paid are set out in the postholder’s terms and conditions of employment and are based on UK civil service allowances, as well as those of officials from Scotland and Northern Ireland.

For the period October 1 last year to September 30 this year, these additional costs amounted to £89,838.

important

In its FoI response, the Cabinet Office said: ’Engagement with Brussels and the UK is more important than ever for the Isle of Man.

’The UK’s withdrawal from the EU remains a priority and a permanent presence in Brussels represents an important step towards furthering the Isle of Man’s interests in Europe across a wide range of complex and challenging issues.

’It supports the island’s commitment to enhancing its own international identity and constitutional development through positive engagement with the EU and its member states.’

The Cabinet Office pointed out that as the island was not an independent state, it could not gain formal diplomatic representation in the EU. Neither can it benefit from EU provisions that would reduce employment costs in connection with the office.

It added: ’The Brussels office is staffed by one full-time head of office post, based in Brussels.

’The size and cost of the office is relatively modest compared with other jurisdictions of a similar size. The cost of the office has increased in the last year due to the significant fall in the value of sterling against the euro.’

Responding to a question in the House of Keys in February, Chief Minister Howard Quayle said the operating cost of the Brussels office for 2016-17 was £158,720 with a budget of £189,000 allocated. The previous year, costs were £169,119.