Manx Newscast

A Douglas East MHK is calling on the Department of Education, Sport and Culture to re-think its school uniform policy.

It's after Joney Faragher submitted a Tynwald written question on the topic.

The response states that following a review of the results of public consultation on the topic - which was run in January 2023 - 'no change to the existing School Uniform Policy Guidance was considered necessary'.

Ms Faragher told Siobhán Fletcher that 'could come across as dismissive' to those parents who are struggling.

Ahead of the Isle of Man’s next general election in a year’s time, a member of the Tynwald Youth Select Committee says housing and youth retention will be key issues for younger voters.

Alexandra Cowley sat down with Christian Jones.

With just one year until voters go to the polls in the Isle of Man’s 2026 General Election, political commentator Alistair Ramsay has suggested the biggest question will be whether the election produces a genuine anti-government reaction.

Mr Ramsay sat down with Christian Jones to explain.

With one year to go until the Isle of Man's 2026 General Election, what is likely going through the mind of a sitting MHK, and what can the incumbent chief minister expect over the final months of his administration?

Former Chief Minister Howard Quayle discusses with Christian Jones.

The justice and home affairs minister says the new Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act 2021 is to be reviewed - as planned - imminently.

The legislation has been in operation for around 18 months, after it was 'switched on' in March last year.

But the conversation around sentences for those convicted of child sexual offences has been a loud one in recent weeks, with calls from some for a national inquiry into the topic.

Siobhán Fletcher sat down with Jane Poole-Wilson, to find out more about how it all works.

In this episode we hear from Martin Malone who attempted 'The Big Swim' earlier this month, as part of the ambitious Expedition Limitless 2026 fundraising campaign.

The aim was to swim continuously for 24 hours, and as we'll hear, while it didn't quite go to plan, Martin says there's a lot to be gained from such experiences.

You can find a link to Martin's fundraising page here.

Three sixth-form students are back home after attending this year’s United Space School in Houston, Texas.

All pupils at Ballakermeen High School, they were selected to attend the school on a River Advisers scholarship, which this year celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Siobhán Fletcher went to meet this year's cohort - Hollie Patterson-Hannay, Patrick Williams and Guy McGuinness, as well as Chris Stott and Dr Jennifer Stone from the company, to find out more.

An MHK says the way whistleblowers are treated by government is 'appalling', and they should be welcomed rather than ostracised.

Arbory, Castletown and Malew member Tim Glover compiled a dossier in 2023 looking at the findings of a whistleblowing committee, how the topic had been discussed in Tynwald since, and hearing from those going through the whistleblowing process.

The report includes quotes from whistleblowers who describe the system as 'cruel' and 'frightening'.

Mr Glover has recently updated the document, and says a change is still needed.

In response, the Isle of Man Government says ‘Isle of Man Government remains committed to working with its employees across the whole organisation to address any performance issues and any concerns that are raised informally and constructively. 

‘There are occasions where this is not possible, or relationships deteriorate, and there are procedures in place to support such situations. Government would always encourage any employees with concerns to raise these and has a range of formal and informal mechanisms in support.

‘It is not Government policy to comment on individual cases and we are unable to comment on remarks made by the Chair of the Employment and Equality Tribunal.

‘The whistleblowing policy sets out a fair and transparent process that fully complies with the Employment Act 2006. Last week the revised corporate whistleblowing policy was approved by the Public Services Commission. The policy was last reviewed and updated in October 2022 and again earlier this year, following legislative changes that took effect from 1 April 2025.

‘All public service staff can access the whistleblowing policy via the Office of Human Resources website and, in addition, staff can report major wrongdoing safely, anonymously and in complete confidence by using the Public Services Integrity Line. The Integrity Line has been in place since 2022 and is operated independently by Crimestoppers. The line has recently been enhanced to provide further options for those who choose to remain anonymous.

‘Training on whistleblowing is mandatory for all employees - for designated managers and reporting officers, this is delivered by OHR and the Attorney General’s Chambers. The whistleblowing policy and related documents are easy to find on an internal website that was launched for government staff in August 2025. If staff have questions, they can quickly get answers using a chatbot that is available 24 hours, seven days a week.’

The chief constable has rebuked suggestions that making armed police officers more visible on the Isle of Man indicates a shift to so-called 'woke' policing.

The comments from Russ Foster come in response to opinions shared by a former MHK on Manx Radio's Perspective programme on Sunday (14 September).

Chris Robertshaw said that Mr Foster had brought 'the UK mindset to the Isle of Man'.

Siobhán Fletcher has this special Newscast.

A local football club is appealing for help from the community to build new changing rooms. 

Pulrose United FC has been in 'negotiations' with Douglas Council for a new facility after its former building was condemned and demolished and a temporary site put in its place. 

The changing rooms are currently owned by the local authority, but it's hoping to take on the lease under 'South Douglas Playing Fields Association' in partnership with another club to help resolve the issue.

Paul Henry, life member of Pulrose United, says the project went out to tender but these came back 'astronomically' higher than the money allocated from the council and the Football Foundation. 

The playing fields and changing room facility are also used by Douglas Athletic and Douglas and District.

Mr Henry added that away teams are currently using a former police station behind the playing fields, but the council has told the club this will be taken back to be used as part of a social housing development.

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him: