Cabinet Office is fifth biggest department

Employs almost 320 staff

Figures from government have revealed the Cabinet Office, which became an official department last month, is the government’s fifth biggest employer.

The department, which came into existence after legislation was passed by Tynwald last month, has 318 staff according to Policy and Reform Minister John Shimmin.

It has just one statutory function – planning policy – but is a third larger than the next smallest department, Economic Development.

And it dwarfs the government’s smallest arm, the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, which has just 162 staff.

The figures were given in response to a question for written answer during this week’s House of Keys sitting.