Jenkins and Thomas back health charge on new arrivals at Chief Minister hustings

Kirrie Jenkins and Chris Thomas, the two candidates for Chief Minister, have both said they support a health charge on people moving to the island, Energy FM reported on 11 October.

The candidates gave their views at a Chief Minister hustings chaired by the Speaker, David Ashford, according to the broadcaster.

The question came from Garff MHK Vicki Hewison. She said people she had spoken to while canvassing were worried that some wealthy newcomers were arriving with health conditions they already had, Energy FM reported.

Mrs Hewison said she had also heard anecdotal accounts of families choosing the island because it was regarded as a safe place to raise children with special needs. She said this added to the cost of public services.

She asked the candidates whether the island should consider tighter conditions on entry, or whether taxpayers were content to meet those costs.

Mrs Jenkins said she had seen nothing to suggest wealthy incomers were exploiting the health service. She said the people she had met were investing, setting up businesses and creating jobs on the island.

She nonetheless backed a charge. “I do think we need to have the health levy in place,” she said. She added that many wealthy residents were already covered by private medical insurance.

Mrs Jenkins said there might be room for private healthcare and medical insurance to play a bigger part on the island. She suggested this could become a source of economic growth.

Mr Thomas agreed with her. He supported introducing an immigration health charge and said work on the policy had already started, Energy FM reported.

He said private medical insurance could be used more widely to pay for tests and treatment alongside the NHS. In his view, that would ease pressure on the health system as a whole.

Mr Thomas said any decision should rest on evidence rather than anecdotal accounts. He noted that Tynwald is expected to debate the subject in future.