Government wins the day in pension debates

Attempts to force early action by government to reform public sector and state pensions were voted down in Tynwald last night.

Three separate motions from backbenchers failed to win support, with government insisting the issues are already being addressed. 

Castletown member Richard Ronan called for the cost of Manx public sector schemes to be reduced before any changes are made to state pensions paid from the National Insurance fund.

Meanwhile Michael MHK Alf Cannan put a motion to the court asking for action to reign-in spending on public sector pensions.

That led to a spat between Mr Cannan and Chief Minister Allan Bell.

Mr Cannan's motion was eventually amended by Policy and Reform Minister Chris Robertshaw, to delay it until the pensions working group reported back in December.

But it was comments from the chief minister that sparked a barbed response from Mr Cannan: