Budget 'should have gone further' says IOM Green Party

Claims it doesn't do enough to tackle climate change, inequality and specific health issues

The Isle of Man Green Party says this year's Budget should have gone further in helping the 'squeezed middle' and tackling climate change.

Benefits and pensions will go up from April, but so will the higher rate of Income Tax which is increasing by two percent.

The money generated from the tax increase is being ring-fenced for health services.

Green Party secretary Andrew Langan-Newton says it's a missed opportunity:

Government says the Climate Change Fund will preserve its current total of £25.7m unallocated funding for the forthcoming year, ready to assist departments in meeting the Isle of Man Government’s net zero carbon emissions target by 2050.

They go on to say funding in this year’s programme also includes £10m for climate change mitigation and adaption projects.