Manx Newscast

A campaign group calling for better provision for students with dyslexia and other learning differences says the approval of a committee's recommendations into the matter is a 'remarkable achievement'.

They ask the education department to create things like 'a clear definition' of dyslexia and also provide more specialist training for the Island's teachers.

This week, despite the Council of Ministers putting forward a raft of amendments, Tynwald members approved all twelve recommendations as originally written, albeit the wording of one was slightly tweaked.

In this edition of the Manx Radio Newscast, Peter Washington of the Dyslexia Advocacy Group IOM gives his reaction.

The chair of a Tynwald select committee looking into support for students with dyslexia says newly-approved recommendations are a 'game changer'.

The committee, formed following a Tynwald Petition for Redress, put forward its final report after 18 months of evidence gathering.

It recommended that the education department created of 'a clear definition' of dyslexia and provided more specialist training for the Island's teachers, amongst other things.

In this edition of Newscast, Phil Gawne speaks to Onchan MHK Rob Callister who is the chair of the Tynwald Select Committee on Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dyspraxia, and Dysgraphia.

The DESC will be expected to report back on a number of progress points by December this year.

Rob Callister is seeking re-election in September alongside fellow candidates Julie Edge, Gabriella Corkish, Dr Rachel Glover and Oliver Lockwood.

A group calling for restrictions on social media for under-16s will meet with Tynwald members next week.

Yesterday (15 June) the UK announced a which will restrict young peoples' access to apps including TikTok and Snapchat from next year.

You can find out more HERE.

The Island’s education minister says there are 'discussions to be had' but there's no indication yet if the Isle of Man will follow suit.

John Bolton is a member of the 'Delay Smartphones - IOM' group and aligns with the Smartphone Free Childhood campaign in the UK.

Today (16 June) our Island's politicians will gather for the penultimate sitting of Tynwald before this year's General Election.

Amongst the topics set to be discussed at the June sitting of the court is that of homelessness.

It follows a consultation designed to help develop legislation to prevent and address the problem on the Isle of Man.

It's hoped a draft bill can be brought to the Island's parliament by March 2027.

Siobhán Fletcher has been speaking to MLC Kirstie Morphet and Cabinet Office Minister David Ashford.

A former MHK has accused the chief minister of publicly belittling and demeaning the Manx parliament during the debate over the Assisted Dying Bill.

Quintin Gill, who represented Rushen between 2001 and 2011, has sent an open letter to Alfred Cannan, claiming the Ayre & Michael MHK's behaviour has been inappropriate and unworthy of any chief minister.

You can read more about his concerns HERE.

In this episode of the Manx Newscast, Mr Gill tells Sian Cowper why he decided to write this letter:

A news agent in Port St Mary is calling on the Steam Packet Company to consider using the MV Arrow or Ben my Chree for freight services instead of the Manxman.

Technical issues on the ferry resulted in papers arriving late on the Island yesterday.

The response by the Council of Ministers to a report into the Island's dyslexia provision is 'disappointing', according to a campaign group.

Of the twelve recommendations put forward by a Tynwald Select Committee, ministers accepted just two as they are written, amended nine, and rejected one.

In this edition of the Manx Radio Newscast, Lewis Foster speaks to Dyslexia Advocacy Group IOM members Julia Bell, Peter Washington and Chrissie Watson.

'We want to provide a facility for almost anybody'.

That's the message from two women who are hoping to keep Ballafesson Church Hall open for the local, and wider, community.

Maureen Dadd and Pat Harper, from Friends of Ballafesson Community, have one year to make the hall viable otherwise it will be sold on the open market.

Mrs Dadd and Mrs Harper say the group is looking to start a programme of events and is open to ideas from local groups.

They add the chapel is closed and has issued a 'cease to meet' - but the hall is still in use.

Currently the Friends of Ballafesson Community has organised coffee mornings and jumble sales - but is hoping to expand into hotpot nights, soup lunches and concerts with Manx bands.

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to Maureen and Pat:

Government is being called on to offer ‘clear and meaningful protections’ for migrants who moved to the Isle of Man under the published five-year route to settlement.

It comes after the UK Government looked at increasing the time a worker has to live there before starting the naturalisation process and subsequent concerns the Island may follow suit.

The families of dementia patients currently being cared for in the north of the Island are urging Manx Care to ‘think seriously’ about the impact of moving them.

It follows concerns there may be plans in place to relocate residents from the Elderly Mental Infirm unit at the Reayrt Skyal residential care home in Ramsey.

Manx Care and the Department of Health and Social Care has been contacted for a comment.