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BBC News
17-06-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Isle of Man TT schedule unlikely to change despite disruption
A review of the 2025 Isle of Man TT is underway but changes to the schedule are unlikely in 2026 despite weather disruption leading to the Senior race being cancelled, the enterprise minister has qualifying and racing at the meeting were severely disrupted by rain and fog, with most races run on a reduced number of laps. Gusty conditions on the final day of the event also saw the blue riband showpiece of the event, the Senior TT, Johnston said while TT 2025 had been "challenging", the fortnight had seen "some amazing racing" despite "the best efforts of weather to cause chaos". Tens of thousands of visitors travelled to the island for the event between 26 May until 7 June, which saw racing take place on 37.7-miles (61km) of closed public Glover MHK asked whether the schedule, introduced in 2023, would be tweaked to give "more certainty" to the running of the Senior race, which was the last in the schedule, next explained that debriefs "at all levels" with "all key stakeholders" were taking place, with the results expected in the coming weeks. But he said any changes would require discussions to "assess whether that was necessary". 'Opportunity missed' Meanwhile, the chief minister said ways of creating a "more prominent visual welcome" to Isle of Man from senior politicians for TT visitors would be considered ahead of next year's Cannan was challenged over there being no visible message from Manx politicians among the safety reminders, event updates and public health guidance issued during the said the lack of a "safe travels" campaign was a "PR opportunity missed" by central conceded it was a "valid point" and but said any future government messaging needed to remain "meaningful" to TT said the current schedule had been implemented following consultation with race organisers, competitors, teams, and medics. Cannan told members there had been a "coordinated" effort across government to "deliver clear practical information" during the said figures such as former TT winner Milky Quayle had been chosen for their "strong connection to the audience", which recognised the important role the right people could can play in promoting the island said there was "absolutely a role to play" for politicians in promoting the island and welcoming that would "need to be put in context with what is meaningful to our visitors", he added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
11-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
'Separate' Isle of Man migrant worker threshold rise defended
A rise in the minimum salary requirement for migrant worker visas aims to "reduce exploitation" and is separate from the Manx minimum wage, the enterprise minister has May the government said the minimum salary threshold included in immigration rules would increase from £20,800 to £25,447.50 in Hooper MHK said taking that requirement above the minimum wage rate would create a a "two-tier" system for migrant and Manx Minister Tim Johnston said those on visas did "not have the same level of flexibility or choice" and ensuring their pay was reasonable was of "greater importance to reduce the risk of exploitation". The DFE's plans to align the minimum wage with the living wage were put on hold earlier this year following concerns raised by the minimum wage was increased from £11.45 to £12.25 in April, with the department also committing to reviewing how the it wage was was asked whether the minimum wage would be increased to an hourly salary of £13.05 to match the new salary told the House of Keys the Department for Enterprise (DFE) was reviewing the current process for determining minimum wage but would not look to change the rate until the matter had been debated in July's Tynwald. Hooper argued the change to migrant visa salary thresholds meant a company employing those workers would have to pay them a higher salary than if they employed a Manx person in the same role. But Treasury Minister Alex Allinson said the increased minimum salary threshold had been benchmarked against the living wage. The move aimed to ensure workers who moved to the island on a visa were paid an adequate salary and not seen to "undercut" Manx workers, he said it was an "entirely separate matter" to the statutory minimum wage and the move by the Treasury to increase the threshold was made as the figure had not been updated for some time and had fallen said the two figures were often different, citing the UK threshold of £38,000 compared to the minimum wage for a full time worker of £25,396. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cascadia to acquire Granite Creek Copper, enhancing copper-gold exploration in Yukon
Canadian junior mining company Cascadia Minerals has entered a definitive arrangement agreement to acquire all issued and outstanding shares of Granite Creek Copper. The companies will merge to create a copper-gold exploration and development company combining Granite Creek's advanced Carmacks Project with Cascadia's copper-gold exploration projects portfolio across the Stikine Terrane in Yukon, Canada. Under the agreement, Granite Creek shareholders will receive a 48% premium based on the company's recent average trading price, with each Granite Creek share exchanged for 0.25 of a Cascadia share. The Cascadia shares are valued at C$0.04 ($0.029) per Granite Creek share. Upon completion, Cascadia shareholders will hold a 59% interest, while Granite Creek's will have 41% of the combined company. Cascadia will be well-financed with approximately C$2.5m in cash to fund ongoing work on the combined property portfolio. Granite Creek CEO and president Tim Johnston said: 'This merger is a logical next step for both companies and will result in a combined entity with a robust portfolio of projects that will be positioned for success in these strong copper and gold markets. I look forward to remaining involved with Cascadia and moving the Carmacks Project forward towards development.' The Carmacks Project, a high-grade copper and gold exploration and development site, is a key asset in the deal, offering strong resource potential and positive economic forecasts. The project is strategically located within the Minto Copper Belt, known for its significant copper-gold-silver deposits. The project's proximity to the past-producing Minto mine and access to infrastructure enhances its value. Cascadia CEO and president Graham Downs said: 'The Carmacks Project provides a strong foundation of road-accessible resources in a safe jurisdiction. Our team is confident in the exploration potential around the main deposits and throughout the property. 'We look forward to building on the systematic work Granite Creek has conducted in recent years by growing near-deposit resources and exploring along trend toward the nearby Minto deposit to the north. Planning is already under way for a fall drill programme at Carmacks, while work advances in parallel at our Catch Property and other discovery-stage Yukon Stikine projects.' The terms of the transaction require approval from Granite Creek shareholders and option holders, with a special meeting expected in July 2025. Regulatory approvals, including from the TSX Venture Exchange, are also necessary for the deal to close. In conjunction with the transaction, Cascadia is conducting a non-brokered private placement to raise up to C$2.25m. The funds will be used for exploration on the Carmacks Project and to cover transaction-related expenses. Cascadia has also agreed to provide Granite Creek with a bridge loan of C$375,000 to cover transaction costs. Additionally, Granite Creek plans to settle debts with TruePoint Exploration and a royalty holder through a shares for debt transaction, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. In October 2024, Stillwater Critical Minerals signed a letter of intent with Granite Creek Copper to finalise a definitive agreement to divest a 90% stake in the Duke Island project in Alaska, US. "Cascadia to acquire Granite Creek Copper, enhancing copper-gold exploration in Yukon" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
BBC News
09-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Isle of Man private school receives £2.2m 'repayable grant'
The Isle of Man's only private school will receive £2.2m to help with construction costs as it brings together its primary and secondary school facilities on one William's College (KWC) has been awarded the "repayable grant" under the Department for Enterprise's Financial Assistance Scheme for island year the institution confirmed its campus would be consolidated to include its primary school, the Buchan, with its former site sold to developers in Minister Tim Johnston said the loan was to help cover significant spending on building works and was due to the imposition of 20% VAT on private school fees. The UK government last year announced the standard rate of VAT would be added to private school fees from January, with KWC announcing in September it would absorb the costs for the spring and summer said that change had presented a "challenge" for the school, which had coincided with it going through "major investment" as part of the consolidation but the money was not "to pay a VAT bill" but to make it a "sustainable business". 'Select few' But MHK Joney Faragher said it "feels wrong that the government is propping up private schools when state schools are under such pressure" and it could "exacerbate educational inequality".It was public money and "should benefit the whole island's young people rather than just a select few".Lawrie Hooper MHK said the grant was awarded at the same time as the Department of Education, Sports and Culture was trying to find £400,000 in savings for swimming told the House of Keys he was "perfectly comfortable" the school was eligible for the support under the scheme and the funds would be paid back within five years, with interest applied from year said with 185 staff KWC was one of the largest employers in the south of the island and brought £1.3m in exchequer benefits as well as £2.8m in local economy spending each minister said he recognised the concerns raised by members, but the application received by his department had satisfied the criteria for the loan had received approval from the Council of Ministers and Treasury concurrence so had "gone through the normal processes", he a statement Chairman of Governors for KWC Peter Clucas said the funding enabled the college to move forward with its consolidation project, which "underpins the school's long-term financial sustainability".He said the school was working toward a completion date of later this year for the project. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Plans to expand whistleblower list put forward
Plans to expand the list of bodies that whistleblowers can make disclosures to are set to be considered by the Isle of Man's parliament later this month. The Public Interest Disclosure (Prescribed Persons) Order 2025 would see the inclusion of various medical regulators in the prescribed persons list from 1 April. Brought forward by the Department for Enterprise, it follows a public consultation on who should be included in the list, including proposals to include politicians which was rejected by Tynwald. Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston said it was "crucial" whistleblowers could "have confidence in the organisation they wish to make a disclosure to, and are protected in doing so." The move would see the inclusion of the General Medical Council, The General Dental Council, the General Optical Council, the General Pharmaceutical Council, the General Osteopathic Council and the Health and Care Professions Council in the list. The Department of Home Affairs and the Tynwald Auditor General would also be included as prescribed persons. Other changes under the order include the expansion of the remit in which someone can make a disclosure within the Department of Health and Social Care and the Gambling Supervision Commission which would come into effect from 1 April. Tynwald approval would also be sought for the Prescribed Persons (Duty to Report) Regulations 2025 requiring prescribed persons to report annually on disclosures made to them. The government said those reports would help "identify gaps and areas for improvement" in the handling of disclosures and provide assurance to the public and whistleblowers that the prescribed body takes disclosures seriously. The changes come as part of a move to strengthen protections for whistleblowers, with the introduction of a public interest test and the removal of a good faith requirement already approved by Tynwald. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. Call to add members to whistleblower list rejected Call to add Tynwald members to whistleblowers list Employment law plan includes whistleblowing reforms Isle of Man Government - Employment Law Changes Department for Enterprise
