Treasury responds to report calling for government to reduce its size

Economic Policy Review Committee report also calls for end to 'systemic reliance' on reserves

Government says it will consider the views of a Tynwald scrutiny committee, review the evidence offered, and respond in full through the parliamentary process.

It's after the Economic Policy Review Committee made 11 recommendations for change after reviewing the role of the Treasury, the structural deficit and the use of the reserves.

You can read more on that HERE.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Treasury says it acknowledges the publication of the report, which calls for the size and scope of government to be reduced, amongst other things.

It points to quarterly reviews of the public service workforce which have been made available, and an Economic Dashboard, which it says evidences 'the increasing strength of the island’s reserves'.

The statement in full: "The Treasury acknowledges the publication of the Economic Policy Review Committee’s (EPRC) report, which will be laid before Tynwald in January 2026.

"Over the course of this administration the Isle of Man Government has established an Operational Performance and Change Board to strategically analyse the size and scope of the public service and establish an efficiency and change programme driving at least £50 million in efficiency savings over the next five years.

"Quarterly reviews of the public service workforce have been made available demonstrating the significant investment in front line services and Treasury have been working with all departments to enable them to remain within their budgets, publishing quarterly management accounts.

"The increasing strength of the island’s reserves, now valued at over £2 billion, can be found on the Economic Dashboard.

"As the EPRC report is due to be debated at the March Tynwald sitting, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage. The Government will consider the committee’s views, review the evidence offered, and respond in full through the parliamentary process."