Speaker calls out 'culture of secrecy' in Treasury

'We consulted businesses' - Cannan

The Speaker of the House of Keys has criticised what he's called a 'culture of unnecessary secrecy' in Treasury.

Alf Cannan gave a budget update statement to Tynwald this morning (21), announcing a plan to help the Manx economy in the wake of coronavirus.

Juan Watterson says there's been 'information lockdown' in advance of the plan, though Tynwald members are given a copy of the 'purple book' ahead of the sitting.

In response, the treasury minister says more businesses were consulted 'than ever before', but it's not known if unions and third sector groups were spoken to.