Health and Education receive 'significant' budget increases

Combined uplift of £59 million

Two government departments will receive a combined uplift of £59 million in this year’s Budget if it's approved.

The Department of Health and Social Care has seen its budget increased by £41.2 million.

The Department of Education, Sport and Culture will receive an additional £18 million.

DHSC

Last year the department’s gross income was £53,724,000, its gross expenditure £313,780,000 and net expenditure £260,056,000.

Treasury says the funding gap within the DHSC has now been addressed by providing the department with a ‘significant increase’ in its expenditure budget.

This relates to the Manx Care mandate; something established following an independent review of health and social care services on the Island by Sir Jonathan Michael in 2019.

A long-term financial plan will also see the department’s annual expenditure budget increase to more than £400 million in 2028-2029.  

DESC

Last year the department’s gross income was £11,287,000, its gross expenditure was £126,282,000 and net expenditure £114,995,000.

Three million pounds of the Department of Education, Sport and Culture’s uplift has been earmarked towards the initial rollout of a new childcare strategy.

£35 million will be available for this over the next five years.

Treasury Minister Alex Allinson said: “We are currently working with the childcare sector to see how a phased approach can be used to extend the existing pre-school credit scheme to three- to four-year-olds and support the sector to develop and provide more accessibility.

"It is vitally important that our community sees the benefit of this investment, experiencing better service provision and outcomes for pupils and their families, patients and staff across the public sector who provide such essential front-line services."

Tynwald will vote on the Budget later today.

Find out more about this year's Budget and how it will affect you by clicking HERE.