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by Leah Dunford

Although Isle of Man residents are up to 30% better off than US citizens, the ageing population could be destined to have a serious impact on Manx prosperity in future, according to RBS Group economist, Stephen Blackman.

Addressing a gathering of finance professionals in the Isle of Man, Stephen Blackman warned that the Isle of Man was entering a period when the proportion of the population who were not of working age would be on such a scale that local prosperity would be adversely affected, unless measures were taken to address the issue.

He told the audience that the Isle of Mans standard of living was under threat simply from natural demographics.

He reached this conclusion through an analysis which compared the wealth of the Isle of Man with the USA and competitor jurisdictions such as Jersey. By comparing GDP (gross domestic product) per head, based on how many people as a proportion of the population were of working age, how many hours on average they worked and how productive they were for every hour they worked, he produced figures that showed that the Isle of Man and Jersey were broadly similar in terms of their prosperity per head, and three times richer than the US. However the figures also highlighted that this position was under threat because of the ageing population. He commented:

The Isle of Man like the rest of the world is seeing a rise in the old age pensioner ratio compared to the number of working age and the number in employment is going to be hit because of it. In order to maintain its standard of living in terms of GDP per head therefore, either people are going to have to work harder or become much more productive or the Isle of Man is going to have to boost its population.

He added:

The big debate that is going to have to take place in the IoM, and its already started in Jersey, is how do the Islands manage to maintain the quality of life which they have become accustomed to and which are essential for Island life and balance that with the need to increase population. Without an increase in population with an ageing society, and based on these figures, the standard of living in terms of GDP per head is going to naturally fall.

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people are going to have to work harder or become much more productive or the Isle of Man is going to have to boost its population.

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Population Issues To Be Considered If Isle of Man Is To Maintain Prosperity, Warns Economist

by Olivia Rawlinson

Team Microgaming Isle of Man rider Jake Kelly finished 13th in Sunday, 25th March's Cadence junior road race in Powys, Wales. Four riders went away immediately after the start and several small breakaways chased. The small breaks came back together as they were joined by the favourites from the bunch. Shortly after, with two of the seven laps remaining, Kelly and another rider joined the group of 20 at the head of the race.

Three riders, including last year's winner John Dibben, broke away from this small group and these three also split on the last lap with Tao Geoghegan-Hart taking the win from Dibben. The rest of the small group fought it out on the last climb to the hill top finish where Jake took a well-deserved 13th place. His result was very good in view of the fact he had a broken spoke in his front wheel for the last four laps. He decided not the get it replaced as the race pace was so high.

Alex Haddock came home off the back of the main bunch after assisting Jake in the first part of the race, then aggravating an injury later on. The next race in the British Junior Road Race series is the Junior Tour of the Mendips, Bristol, on April 15. The other seven events in the 2012 British junior road race series are:

May 4-6: Sleepwell Hotels Isle of Man International Youth Tour. June 17: Tom Simpson Memorial Junior RR, Doncaster. June 23: CC Giro Junior Criteriums, Lichfield. July 8: Hatherleigh Junior RR, Exeter. July 22: Bath RC Junior RR, Milton Keynes. August 25-27: Junior Tour of Wales.

The eight race series is still popularly known as the Pete Buckley series as for many years it was named in memory of the Manx rider who won the Commonwealth Games gold in Jamaica in 1966. Over the years the junior series has been a proving ground for many Manx and British pro riders. The last Manxman to win the series was Team Sky professional Peter Kennaugh. Manxmen Steve Joughin and Mike Doyle also won the series before going on to pro careers in the 1980s.

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If you'd like to send any information or news releases to us then please feel free to do so and we would be more than happy to consider sharing your news with the Isle of Man!

Send your Isle of Man news to:webmaster@manx.net

Excerpt from:
Team Microgaming - Jake Kelly 13th in British Junior Series Opener

by Anna Hemy

The TT festival is fast approaching and Isle of Man Tourism would like to appeal to the Islands homeowners to help accommodate the thousands of visitors looking for somewhere to stay. If you have a spare room available and can offer guests accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, or would consider rental of your entire property, the Homestay team would be very pleased to hear from you. Homestay can be offered during TT for any number of nights between 26th May and 10th June inclusive and homes are required to be inspected by Department officers before being registered for the scheme. Geoff Corkish MBE, MHK, Political Member for the Department of Economic Development with responsibility for Tourism said: We would welcome more residents to join this very popular scheme to enable more TT visitors to enjoy our Island and the TT spectacle. Registration costs just 15.00, covering public liability insurance. I would like to thank everyone who has registered in previous years and ask them to consider doing so again this year to ensure TT 2012 is a great success. TT Homestay registration closes on 30th April 2012 and the Department is unable to accept any applications after then. For further information and terms and conditions please download the Guidance Notes from http://www.visitisleofman.com/homestay. If you feel you meet the criteria and would like to register for the Homestay scheme please call the Homestay team on 686802 or email homestay@gov.im . - Ends -

We would welcome more residents to join this very popular scheme to enable more TT visitors to enjoy our Island and the TT spectacle."

Geoff Corkish MBE, MHK, Political Member for the Department of Economic Development

If you'd like to send any information or news releases to us then please feel free to do so and we would be more than happy to consider sharing your news with the Isle of Man!

Send your Isle of Man news to:webmaster@manx.net

Manx Telecom Ltd 2012

Manx Telecom Ltd, Isle of Man Business Park, Cooil Road, Braddan, Isle of Man IM99 1HX Registered in the Isle of Man Reg no.5629V Vat Reg no GB 003-2919-12

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Final Call For Householders to Register For TT Homestay 2012

by Aoife Donohoe

The first official Aer Lingus Regional flight, operated by Aer Arann, took to the skies from Isle of Man Airport to Dublin yesterday (Sunday, 25th March 2012).

Pictured launching the first Aer Lingus Regional flights from Isle of Man Airport were (from left) Aer Aranns Marketing Manager Sinead Murphy and Isle of Man Airport Director Anne Reynolds with Aer Lingus Regional cabin crew member Kitty Dillon.

With the Aer Lingus Regional service, Isle of Man passengers will benefit from connectivity on all Aer Lingus flights through Dublin offering not only excellent access to major European destinations such as Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels and Rome but also transatlantic connectivity on Aer Lingus flights to New York, Boston, Chicago and Orlando.

Passengers will also benefit from US Customs and Immigrations pre-clearance facilities at Dublin Airport that will allow them to arrive in the US as domestic passengers, saving valuable time.

Flights to Dublin with Aer Lingus Regional are available for booking on http://www.aerlingus.com.

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If you'd like to send any information or news releases to us then please feel free to do so and we would be more than happy to consider sharing your news with the Isle of Man!

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First Aer Lingus Regional Flight to Dublin Takes to the Skies From Isle of Man Airport

by Chris Boyde

Rally Isle of Man will burst into fresh life this September with a spectacular night-time action stage on the iconic Douglas promenade.

Organisers today announced that discussions with relevant authorities have seen permission granted for a road closure on Harris Promenade on the evening of Thursday 20th September, and a special stage that is purposely-designed for spectators, and that will add a new dimension to the event, will form the opening action of the three-day closed-roads classic.

Itll feature head-to-head action as two cars contest the stage side by side, something never before seen on a rally on the island.

The stage itself will take in the very heart of the Promenade with the area from Broadway across to the Rendezvous set to offer a real thrill for all motorsport fans. With the stunning background of Douglas Bay and the landmark Villa Marina and Gaiety Theatre complex as a further back-drop, it offers a wonderful viewing opportunity as well as a challenging route for crews.

Rally Isle of Man Chairman John Gill confirms the news. The organising team has been working on this stage for several months after an initial idea that came from one of the new members, Adam Warburton. Its great to be able to confirm that it has come to fruition. We have every reason to think itll become an instant hit with competitors and spectators alike and another element of the unique atmosphere created by our event.

Rally Isle of Man wish to thank the Isle of Man Government Departments of Infrastructure and Community, Culture and Leisure for their support as well as the Villa Marina and Gaiety Theatre management, Sefton Hotel and Douglas Corporation.

The Villa Marina is in a position to offer hospitality opportunities for the event, with balcony viewing of the stage, and any interested parties should contact the complex management directly.

In addition event organisers would be delighted from any other groups or activities that may be compatible with the location and stages to compliment and enhance the entertainment factor for spectators, and help create a truly memorable night.

Put the date in your diaries now get closer to Rally Isle of Man!

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Douglas Promenade Spectacular to Herald New Era For Rally Isle of Man