Decision to raise freight fuel surcharge 'not taken lightly'

Friday 23 October 2026 Jeheiney, yn 23oo Jerrey-fouyir.The Isle of Man morning briefing · Your Friday local briefing

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Lead Story

Decision to raise freight fuel surcharge 'not taken lightly'

• Steam Packet responds after haulage business raises concerns.
• The Isle of Man Steam Packet says the decision to increase its fuel surcharge for freight customers was not taken lightly.
• Managing Director Brian Thomson has told Manx Radio the company recognises that any increase in fuel surcharges is disappointing for customers and businesses, particularly at a time when many continue to face wider financial pressures.

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Almanac · Daily readings

Today on the island

Rainy, 9°C (48°F), wind 20 mph

Douglas

9°C

Rainy · High 11° · Low 7°

Wind

20mph

Fresh

High Tide

10:23

6.16m · Douglas

Aurora · NOAA

Kp 1

Not visible

Around the Island · 15 stories

The local news that matters this morning

Here's all the news from our island from the past 24 hours, made easy to digest.

Manx Radio · Politics · 13:52

Ten local authorities looking for candidates to stand in by-elections

• Vacancies due to House of Keys elections and retirements.
• Some vacancies are historical due to resignations or not having enough people whilst others are because of the recent House of Keys election.
• There are currently seats available in Arbory and Rushen, Ballaugh, Braddan, Garff’s Laxey Ward, German, Michael, Peel, Ramsey, Port St Mary and Douglas Council’s South Ward.

3FM · Island News · 16:26

Could your warm glazed buns represent the Isle of Man?

• Does your soggy bottom deserve showing to the public?
• You may get your chance!
• The Great British Bake-Off is looking for new contestants to appear on the world-famous show.

Manx Radio · Culture · 11:32

Manx businesses urged to check whether websites use PHP

• Flaw in programming language could leave websites vulnerable.
• The head of an Isle of Man company that provides cyber security services is urging Manx businesses to check whether their website uses the programming language PHP.
• It comes after a flaw was discovered in the language, which is estimated to be used by 60 to 70 percent of websites.

Manx Radio · Island News · 06:31

The 'rapid growth' of parents delaying giving their children smartphones

• More than 500 Manx families sign 'Smartphone Free Childhood pact'.
• A parent group on the Isle of Man calling for others to delay giving their children smartphones says its numbers are growing rapidly.
• What started out as a Facebook group known as ’Delay Smartphones - IOM’ has now joined forces with a UK movement known as Smartphone Free Childhood.

3FM · Law · 14:51

UK recruitment events for officers to join Island police

• Police will be holding a series of events in the UK to tempt officers to transfer to the Isle of Man.
• On Facebook, they say they have three events planned for the rest of this year.
• The first is in Chester on Monday, November 30, with an event in Manchester the following day and the final in London on Friday, December 4.

3FM · Island News · 08:55

Joe Locke says Isle of Man will always be part of his life

• Joe Lock's told GQ magazine the Isle of Man will always be a part of his life.
• The Douglas-born actor is featured in British GQ’s November issue in an interview about his life growing up on the Isle of Man.
• The Heartstopper and Marvel star says he’s flown back and forth to the Isle of Man 130 times over the last three years.

3FM · Business · 08:18

PokerStars Isle of Man faces uncertainty over Flutter job cuts

• PokerStars' Isle of Man operation could be affected by plans to cut up to 1,400 jobs at parent company Flutter Entertainment.
• The proposed redundancies are across its UK and Ireland business, with cuts potentially extending to international hubs, including the Isle of Man.
• Flutter says the plans are a response to higher UK gambling taxes announced in last year’s Autumn Budget.

IoM Today · Island News · 14:55

Could the Isle of Man soon have a dedicated epilepsy nurse?

• 661 adults are on the neurology waiting list, with a median wait of 44 weeks.
• A dedicated epilepsy specialist nurse could be in place in the Isle of Man by the start of the 2027-28 financial year.
• Health and Social Care Minister Claire Christian said the proposed full-time, island-based role would cost an estimated £60,000 to £70,000 a year, subject to budget approval and successful recruitment.

IoM Today · Island News · 11:11

Warning issued to Isle of Man residents over rise in TV Licensing scam emails

• Pause and check that it’s genuine first.
• The Cyber Security Centre for the Isle of Man has warned of an increase in suspicious emails claiming to be from TV Licensing.
• The government organisation is urging residents to exercise caution when receiving unexpected emails about their TV Licence, particularly those asking them to click links or provide personal or payment information.

IoM Today · Island News · 07:00

Isle of Man firms could face £200,000 salary bills under draconian’ whistleblower law

• Employers could be forced to pay whistleblowers for years while their cases are heard - even if their claims ultimately fail.
• New employment legislation designed to provide financial support for dismissed whistleblowers has been described as draconian.
• An employment tribunal has dismissed an application for interim relief after ruling that it failed to meet the high standard of proof required.

Manx Radio · Island News · 12:39

Murder Trial: Jury retires to consider its verdict

• 16-year-old standing trial accused of murder.
• The jury considering whether a teenager is guilty of murder has retired to consider its verdict.
• The 16-year-old is standing trial accused of murdering Christopher McBurnie, who died in Ramsey, on 29 May last year.

Manx Radio · Island News · 06:31

Charity warns of consequences of 'explosion' in kitten numbers

• Pets Aid League currently offering financial support for spaying and neutering.
• A charity that helps fund vet treatment for pets is warning an ’explosion’ in the number of kittens on the Isle of Man could have a long-term impact on the local cat population.
• Pets Aid League Isle of Man is currently offering a support scheme to cover the cost of spaying or neutering a cat.

Manx Radio · Island News · 06:31

UCM launches new qualification in Uniformed Protective Services

• The BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate is the equivalent to three A-Levels.
• It’s hoped a new course will give those interested in a career in uniformed protective services the skills they need for their future.
• The BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate course replaces University College Isle of Man’s previous Psychology offering.

3FM · Politics · 15:28

Government needs new £138k a year education head

• The Department of Education, Sport and Culture says it's looking for a new £138,000 a year boss.
• It’s advertising for someone to take its top civil service job, leading the department’s work.
• The role involves leading 2,000 staff, managing £150 million a year budget and overseeing 37 schools, a college and sport and leisure facilities.

3FM · Island News · 07:07

Parish says to think of the wildlife this Halloween

• If you're decorating your garden for Halloween, one parish is urging you not to use fake cobwebs.
• On Facebook, Bride Parish Commissioners says the decorations can be lethal for small animals.
• It warns the material can cause a slow death for wildlife including birds, mice and hedgehogs, which can become trapped.

Island Utility · Practical note