Economy V2

CHANGE ECONOMY POLICY

A STRONGER MANX ECONOMY

Reward work. Back business. Cut waste. Government should create the conditions for people and businesses to succeed — not stand in their way.

An economy built around people, enterprise and value.

CHANGE wants a competitive Isle of Man where work is rewarded, businesses can grow, public money is respected and regulation exists only where it is genuinely necessary. The private economy should create opportunity and prosperity, while government provides clear rules, sound infrastructure and efficient public services.

01 — TAX

Keep Tax Competitive

The Island must remain attractive to workers, families, entrepreneurs and investors.

  • Retain the 10% lower income-tax rate and 20% higher rate.
  • Keep the personal allowance under review so work continues to pay.
  • Oppose hidden taxation through unnecessary charges and levies.
02 — PUBLIC SPENDING

Cut the Cost of Government

Every pound wasted by government is a pound unavailable to families, businesses and essential services.

  • Recruitment freeze and natural wastage where services allow.
  • Reduce duplication, consultants and unnecessary administration.
  • Publish spending clearly so the public can see where money goes.
03 — RED TAPE

Cut Red Tape & Over-Regulation

Businesses should spend their time serving customers, employing people and growing — not navigating unnecessary bureaucracy.

  • Review existing regulation for necessity, cost and proportionality.
  • Remove rules that no longer serve a clear public-interest purpose.
  • New regulation must explain the problem, the cost and why existing rules are insufficient.
04 — DEMOCRATIC CONTROL

Regulation by Government, Not Departments

Departments may administer the law. They should not quietly create new law through policy, procedure or guidance.

  • Binding obligations and restrictions must have proper legal authority.
  • Guidance may explain the law — it must not extend it.
  • Any material regulatory change must go through the proper government and legislative process.
05 — FAIR ENFORCEMENT

No Incentive to Fine

Regulators must enforce rules fairly, not depend on penalties as a source of income.

  • Regulatory budgets should be set transparently and separately from penalty income.
  • Fines should not directly increase the budget of the body imposing them.
  • Licence, registration and inspection fees should reflect reasonable service costs, not become hidden taxation.
06 — MANX BUSINESS

Back Manx Businesses

Government should open doors for business — not stand in the doorway.

  • Give local suppliers a fair opportunity in government procurement where practical.
  • Speed up decisions, approvals and payments to suppliers.
  • Make it simpler to start, operate and expand a business on the Island.
07 — COSTS

Reduce the Cost of Living & Doing Business

Energy, transport, housing and freight costs affect every household and every employer.

  • Pursue secure and affordable energy.
  • Reduce unnecessary green taxes and policy-driven cost increases.
  • Push for affordable transport and freight links that support the whole economy.
08 — GROWTH

Grow the Private Economy

Prosperity should come from people creating value — not from the permanent expansion of government.

  • Support enterprise, investment, tourism, manufacturing, technology and professional services.
  • Link education and apprenticeships more closely to the skills employers need.
  • Use immigration to address genuine skills shortages, not as a substitute for training the resident workforce.

The principle is simple.

Government has an important role — but it should be clear, limited and accountable.

“The Isle of Man does not need government to run the economy. It needs government to create the conditions in which its people can succeed.”