Charity warns of damage to Island's international reputation

The Small Countries Financial Management Centre receives £300,000 a year from taxpayers

A director of a charity which works to grow financial governance in small countries says cutting its public funding risks undermining the Isle of Man’s international reputation.

Director Gary Roberts said the Small Countries Financial Management Centre programme, which trains senior public servants from some of the world’s poorest small states, has created a global network of around 400 alumni who are now 'advocates for the Isle of Man'.

Mr Roberts, the Island’s former chief constable, says the scheme has helped people who have gone on to work in financial bodies such as the IMF, World Bank and OECD.

He's described the scheme as 'the most significant thing that the Isle of Man does for its own reputation' and warned that halving its £300,000 government grant could be decisive.

Mr Roberts says the funding represents just 0.02% of the government’s revenue budget, but delivers 'free advertising' at the highest levels of international finance.

He says: "I think the Island's reputation would really suffer if we disappeared."

Cabinet Office Minister David Ashford accepted the programme as 'exceptionally invaluable' and acknowledged it gives the Island influence overseas.

However, he defends the decision to cut direct funding and require the charity to match a reduced £150,000 grant with money from the private sector or other sources.

Mr Ashford insists this isn't an 'out of the blue' move but that the government has a duty to test whether taxpayers should continue to bear the 'vast majority' of the cost.

He's also rejected suggestions the decision amounts to an existential threat, saying ministers want to see if alternative funding can be found before any final judgment is made on the programme’s future.

You can hear both interviews with Mr Roberts and Mr Ashford on Manx Radio’s Perspective podcast.

Mr Ashford is standing for election in the Douglas North constituency, the other candidates are: Jason Cheetham, Damian Ciappelli, Denis Staunton, Janet Thommeny, Peter Washington and Hugo Yates.