Support for young people and families
MY PRIORITY
41% of people in their early twenties are leaving the island. Many say it’s hard to see their future here. Housing options are limited, and the rental market is extremely difficult.
For new families, the cost and stress of childcare leave many struggling to cope, or choosing between work and home life.
And if young people keep leaving the Island, there are fewer people paying into the system. This puts even greater pressure on public services as the population ages.
But these are problems we can fix.
The Isle of Man should be a place where you can start out, settle down, and choose to stay.
When people leave because a decent life feels out of reach, it affects everyone.
It affects our workforce, local businesses, and the Island’s long term future.
We need:
The right mix of homes, including smaller starter options suited to single people and couples.
The implementation of minimum standards for private renting and social housing, to protect tenants and improve safety.
Support for families so they can manage financially, and so parents who want to stay in work can do so more easily.
Better routes into careers, with apprenticeships, skills training, and ‘earn while you learn’.
I will call for:
Safe, affordable homes to rent and buy, including for people at the start of their adult lives.
Enhanced child benefit and subsidised childcare, so people aren’t priced out of starting a family.
Greater consideration of future generations, and opportunities to help them build a life here.