With high inflation and surging housing costs, many residents have said that we need to ease the squeeze on the cost of living.

As a volunteer for the IOM Foodbank, I have seen first-hand that many local families are struggling. As a candidate in the election on 23 September, I want to help fix this.

You can see our moderate and mainstream plan below to ease the squeeze on the cost of living.

It has benefited from the feedback of many people:

  • People starting out in life;
  • Families juggling the pressures of work and children;
  • Residents living on fixed incomes.

We now need your vote on 23 September to help make it happen.

Fair prices

Ideally, we would have a thriving competitive market for home utilities and off-island transport to keep prices low for consumers. But our relatively small market size needs an active Office of Fair Trading to keep prices fair.

Combat the Manx housing crisis

We need to build and renovate homes in inner-Douglas for the people of Mann to create lives and build families. It is absurd that big parts of Lord Street, Fort Street, Parade Street, Walpole Street, Regent Street, North Quay and South Quay look like bomb sites. This will make housing more accessible, create good jobs and protect our environment.

Lower taxes for low income earners

Cutting taxes for low wage earners will help families who are under the most pressure and build dignity by helping people get back into work. Earnings under the Manx living wage should not be taxed. This will help struggling families, and increase the financial rewards to working.

Scrutinise foreign purchases of Manx housing

Manx housing should be available first to families to build homes and lives. Homes should not be speculative financial instruments.

VAT Cut

The Manx Government must fight to extend the VAT cut on hospitality to help hospitality businesses and workers through the winter. The current plan to increase VAT on hospitality on 1 October will harm workers, families and businesses.

Michael Josem is a long-term consumer advocate, most prominently as a global leader in combating fraud in the online gambling industry. He was in part the inspiration for the 20th Century Fox Movie, Runner Runner, starring Ben Affleck and Justin Timberlake.

Josem has over a decade of experience as a senior business leader working across various high-tech and online industries, and takes action to build a better community. His primary volunteer roles include service for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and Graih, the homelessness charity.