The number of work permit applications in the Isle of Man has fallen by a quarter in three years.

But the drop has more to do with the expansion in work permit exemptions than an indicator of a shrinking population.

Figures revealed by Economic Development Minister Laurence Skelly in a written reply to a House of Keys question reveal that the number of work permit applications received fell from 4,445 in 2014, to 3,891 in 2015 and to 3,299 last year.

The number approved was 4,280 in 2014, 3,715 in 2015 and 3,185 in 2016. A total of 54 applications were declined last year and 60 withdrawn.

Average processing time last year was 6.8 days - faster than in 2015 when it was 8.1 days.

Carl Hawker at the Cabinet Office said the drop in applications was not really an indicator of a falling population as the expansion of exemptions by the DED meant fewer and fewer applications were going through the system.