Department for Enterprise
162 FOI requests | Full disclosure rate: 100.0%
The Freedom of Information requests to the Department for Enterprise reveal an authority that is selectively transparent, often disclosing aggregate statistics and operational timelines while rigorously guarding specific financial details and commercial relationships. A dominant theme is the 'commercial interest' exemption, which is repeatedly invoked to withhold data on the Isle of Man TT (357873, 357871) and major business grants (1373637, 522836). While the Department readily provides figures on trademark income (357847) or website development costs (1060362), it consistently refuses to compile or release data on safety expenditures, rescue operations, and the specific financial terms of government support for key industries like Triumph and Eagle Labs. This pattern suggests a strategy of maintaining public confidence in the event's popularity while obscuring the true fiscal risks and subsidies involved.
Key Cases
Case 357873 — This case represents a significant transparency failure regarding public safety. The Department withheld all information on the costs of rescue helicopters, safety equipment, and road barriers for the TT, citing 'commercial interests'. Given the life-or-death nature of these expenditures, the refusal to disclose safety spending is highly contentious.
Case 1060362 — A rare instance of full financial disclosure for a digital project. The Department revealed the exact cost (£137,144.18) of developing and running the 'iomttraces' website and timing system, providing a clear benchmark for the cost of government digital infrastructure that contrasts with the redactions seen in other tech cases.
Case 1373637 — This case highlights the 'economic prejudice' exemption used to shield major corporate relationships. The Department confirmed no grants were given for a new Triumph factory but withheld specific details on grants awarded since 2013, preventing public scrutiny of the financial support given to one of the island's largest employers.
Case 1854325 — A politically sensitive case involving the Chief Minister. The Department withheld details on whether Howard Quayle received public COVID-19 support for his holiday cottages, citing personal data and breach of confidence. This refusal to confirm or deny high-level political financial interests undermines public trust.
Case 357847 — This case provides a crucial baseline for the TT's commercial value. By disclosing the total income generated by licensing the TT trademark from 2012-2016, it reveals the revenue stream that often offsets the massive undisclosed costs seen in other cases, painting a partial picture of the event's financial reality.
Related FOI Stories
The True Cost of the Isle of Man TT — #357847, #357853, #354749, #357861, #357867
Enterprise Development Scheme & Business Support — #357891, #462337, #514142, #522836, #617366
Infrastructure: Broadband, Telecommunications & Digital Strategy — #1206549, #1327609, #1368137, #1470773, #1050263
Land Registry, Housing & Development — #354735, #357743, #357859, #357863, #357885
Immigration, Work Permits & Employment — #357739, #449057, #455234, #498133, #881965
All (162)
All information sent (162) ·
Some information sent but part exempt (59) ·
Information not held (53) ·
Some information sent but not all held (43) ·
No information sent - all held but exempt (18) ·
Not upheld (8) ·
Not required to fulfill request (6) ·
Upheld - partial (3) ·
Upheld - full (2) ·
Request lapsed - requested information not provided (2) ·
Withdrawn (1) ·
Neither confirm or deny information held (1) ·
Information Notice (1) ·
| Date | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-16 | Locate Isle of Man | All information sent |
| The requester asked for financial breakdowns, funding sources, employee counts, and budget details for Locate Isle of Man. The Department for Enterprise disclosed full information, including 2024/25 expenditure figures, staffing levels, and the 2025/26 allocated budget. | ||
| 2026-01-08 | Serious Border Entry and Exit Failings | All information sent |
| The requester alleged serious security failings at Ronaldsway Airport regarding passport gender checks and asked for details on security measures and new protocols. The Department for Enterprise clarified that no new measures were introduced because current legislation only requires verifying name and likeness for baggage security, not passport gender, and that immigration matters fall outside their jurisdiction. | ||
| 2025-12-15 | Love Manx Christmas Ad 2025 | All information sent |
| A request was made for production costs, business contributions, and internal planning documents for the 2025 Love Manx Christmas advertisement. The Department for Enterprise disclosed all requested information, including specific costs, confirmation of no business fees, and the full marketing brief. | ||
| 2025-11-05 | Energy & Cleantech Forum 2025 | All information sent |
| The request sought detailed cost breakdowns, attendance data, and strategic documents for the Energy & Cleantech Forum 2025. The Department for Enterprise disclosed the total event cost, funding source, and attendee demographics, noting that specific staff time was not recorded. | ||
| 2025-11-04 | Request for information on payments made to non-governmental members | All information sent |
| The requester sought details on payments and benefits for non-governmental members of Department for Enterprise agencies over the last three years. The authority disclosed that most board members are voluntary and unpaid, while clarifying that ConstructionIoM and HospitalityIoM are industry bodies not receiving direct government salaries or expenses. | ||
| 2025-10-30 | TT Economic data | All information sent |
| The requester asked for economic figures and visitor statistics for the Isle of Man TT from 2022 to 2025, including breakdowns by airport and boat arrivals. The Department for Enterprise responded that all requested information is contained within the 2025 Visitor Report published on September 4, 2025, and provided a direct link to the document. | ||
| 2025-09-22 | Amount of land registered at Land Registry | All information sent |
| The request sought the percentage and hectare area of Isle of Man land that has been first registered as of the request date. The Department for Enterprise disclosed that 28.22% of the total land area, equating to 16,146 hectares, was registered as of September 2025. | ||
| 2025-09-02 | Paddock First Aid | All information sent |
| The requester asked for emails regarding 2025 First Aid Provision at the Grandstand between the Department for Enterprise and MRMS. The authority released two emails but applied an exemption for personal data contained within them. | ||
| 2025-08-28 | company information | All information sent |
| 2025-08-15 | Polls | All information sent |
| The request sought records of all social media polls published by Digital Isle of Man between July and August 2025, including any deleted content. The authority disclosed details of four published polls and one removed poll, providing supporting screenshots and internal chat extracts while redacting personal data. | ||
| 2025-07-22 | IOM TT Feature Film | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the number of parties interested in producing an Isle of Man TT feature film in the last three years and a copy of a contract between Box to Box and the Department for Enterprise. The authority disclosed that nine parties expressed interest but confirmed that no contractual agreement exists between Box to Box and the Department. | ||
| 2025-06-30 | Department for Enterprise and Tax Avoidance-Linked Business Attraction | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department for Enterprise regarding its support for companies linked to tax avoidance between 2015 and 2024. The authority confirmed that no such companies were actively attracted, supported, or provided with financial assistance, and staff performance targets were not linked to these entities. | ||
| 2025-06-26 | Interview Panel | All information sent |
| The requester sought the names of the interview panel for the non-executive Chair of Visit Isle of Man and clarification on political involvement. The Department for Enterprise disclosed the full list of panel members, confirming that one Member of the House of Keys participated in the process. | ||
| 2025-06-23 | TT race cancellations | All information sent |
| The Department for Enterprise responded to a request for statistics on Isle of Man TT race cancellations and rescheduling over the last 10 years. The authority disclosed the number of scheduled races, weather-related reschedules, and races not held for each year from 2016 to 2025. | ||
| 2025-06-10 | Domestic Event Fund funding for events during IoM TT (2023-2025) | All information sent |
| The request sought a breakdown of Domestic Event Fund allocations for Isle of Man TT events between 2023 and 2025, and the Department for Enterprise disclosed that no funding was awarded in 2023, while specific grants were approved for 2024 and 2025 recipients. | ||
| 2025-06-04 | Free hospitality and passes etc for TT 2025 | All information sent |
| The request sought details on free TT 2025 hospitality and passes given to Tynwald members and government employees, including their value and purpose. The Department for Enterprise disclosed that 6 Tynwald members and 3 employees received hospitality access, while 4 of each received Promoter Passes, explaining these were for strategic hosting and economic development. | ||
| 2025-05-16 | Follow up for FOI request ref: 4613189 | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the absolute number of stillbirths registered in the Isle of Man for 2024 and the first four months of 2025. The Department for Enterprise confirmed that three stillbirths occurred in 2024 and two occurred between January and April 2025. | ||
| 2025-05-13 | Public transport | All information sent |
| The applicant requested correspondence and expert reports regarding the removal of the bus service to the Sound between the Department for Enterprise and the Department of Infrastructure. The authority disclosed three emails but redacted personal information under Section 25 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015. | ||
| 2025-03-20 | Douglas Drone Show | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the total cost and ancillary expenses for a drone show in Douglas scheduled for March 2025. The Department for Enterprise disclosed that they supported a £1,800 application to the Domestic Event Fund, but noted that the fund had not yet paid out against the application. | ||
| 2025-03-13 | Darts | All information sent |
| The requester sought the underlying analysis and calculations supporting a press release claiming a 10% increase in visitor numbers for the 2025 International Darts Festival. The Department for Enterprise disclosed the methodology, visitor composition, and specific calculations used to estimate the event's economic impact. | ||
| 2025-02-13 | DfE Executive Agencies Annual Budgets | All information sent |
| The requester asked for annual budgets of four Department for Enterprise Executive Agencies for years where bonus or performance pay was issued. The authority responded by providing hyperlinks to the relevant 'Pink Book' budget documents covering the years 2016 to 2024. | ||
| 2025-02-07 | TT changes cost and information | All information sent |
| The request sought details on the decision-making process and costs regarding the shortening of the Manx Grand Prix schedule in 2022 and its subsequent reversion to a two-week format including the Classic TT. The Department for Enterprise disclosed that the 2022 changes were a joint decision with the MMCC to ensure sustainability, while the 2024 reversion was driven by concerns over decreased visitor numbers and financial pressures. | ||
| 2024-12-03 | Lawbit | All information sent |
| The request sought details on a £500,000 investment by the Department for Enterprise into Lawbit Isle of Man Ltd, including the funding scheme and safeguards. The authority disclosed the investment amount, the Enterprise Development Scheme 2015 as the funding vehicle, and the specific security measures taken, such as secured loan notes and debentures. | ||
| 2024-10-22 | Work permits | All information sent |
| The request sought data on non-EU work permits, benefits for immigrants, and refugee status grants; the Department for Enterprise provided detailed work permit statistics for periods after January 2020 but referred the requester to the Treasury for information on benefits and refugee status. | ||
| 2024-10-22 | Work permits to non EU Nationals | All information sent |
| 2024-10-09 | Monty Halls Cost - Visit Isle of Man | All information sent |
| The request sought the total cost of Monty Halls' visits and a breakdown of the 'Extraordinary Isle' video production costs. The Department for Enterprise disclosed that Halls was not paid specifically for the video but under a £20,000 ambassadorial contract, while the campaign production cost £15,000. | ||
| 2024-10-07 | NextGen | All information sent |
| The requester asked for financial records and provider selection details for NextGen Network events, and the Department for Enterprise disclosed that one event was held in September 2024 with a total cost of £275.85, providing the receipt and explaining the venue selection process. | ||
| 2024-09-25 | Tourism figures | All information sent |
| The requester asked for quarterly tourism figures from 2018 to 2024, and the Department for Enterprise provided available data while explaining gaps due to the pandemic and the resumption of surveys in 2023. | ||
| 2024-09-24 | Shipping Registry - number of Manx fishing vessels which have sank | All information sent |
| The request sought details of Manx fishing vessels removed from the Shipping Registry due to sinking since 2011. The authority disclosed one vessel officially removed and two others reported sunk but awaiting official removal confirmation. | ||
| 2024-09-24 | Central Registry Income | All information sent |
| The requester asked for a detailed breakdown of Central Registry income for the 2023-24 financial year, and the Department for Enterprise provided a comprehensive report categorizing income by cost centres including Companies, Land & Deeds, and Civil Registry. | ||
| 2024-09-09 | Temporary Workers Employed via Agencies | All information sent |
| The request sought the number of temporary workers employed by the Department for Enterprise via third-party agencies in 2023 and 2024, broken down by grade. The authority disclosed the specific counts for two agencies, Paragon and Search & Select, across three job grades. | ||
| 2024-08-27 | AML training to Employees of the Department for Enterprise | All information sent |
| The requester asked if Anti-Money Laundering (AML) training is provided to Department for Enterprise employees and sought statistics on coverage and frequency. The authority confirmed that AML training is not mandatory for all staff but is provided to specific roles, disclosing that 25% of the Enterprise Support Team and 5% of the Aircraft Registry have received such training. | ||
| 2024-08-23 | Details of The Ecenomic Strategy Board members | All information sent |
| The request sought the names of individuals comprising the Economic Strategy Board, and the Department for Enterprise disclosed the full list of ministerial members and routine officer attendees. | ||
| 2024-08-20 | VIP tickets for the TT | All information sent |
| The request sought details on hospitality and gifts provided by the Department for Enterprise to Members and others at taxpayer expense, following media reports about Chief Minister Alf Cannan. The authority disclosed a list of sponsored events and guest numbers from 2021 to 2024, noting that most costs were part of wider sponsorship packages, though specific costs were provided for a few events. | ||
| 2024-07-23 | documents over 25 years old temporarily returned to DHA in 2021 | All information sent |
| 2024-06-18 | Rejected company names | All information sent |
| 2024-06-11 | Red Arrows | All information sent |
| The request sought the annual costs of bringing the RAF Red Arrows to the Isle of Man for the last 10 years, and the Department for Enterprise disclosed a detailed breakdown of costs for each year from 2014 to 2023. | ||
| 2024-06-06 | Promotional materials for Locate.im | All information sent |
| The Department for Enterprise responded to a request regarding promotional materials for the 2024 Isle of Man TT, disclosing that no new beer mats were ordered but 2,000 from 2023 stock were distributed, alongside details on other produced collateral and associated costs. | ||
| 2024-06-03 | Chamber of commerce South Africa gala dinner | All information sent |
| The request sought a breakdown of Finance Isle of Man's platinum sponsorship expenditure for the South African Chamber of Commerce gala dinner in London. The authority disclosed all information, providing a detailed list of costs totaling over £20,000 including sponsorship fees, travel, and promotional items. | ||
| 2024-05-22 | IOM TT | All information sent |
| The requester asked for a link to 2024 TT restricted area maps and clarification on marshal powers to move spectators. The authority provided the relevant website link and confirmed that marshals have broad powers under the Road Races Act 2016 to remove individuals based on safety risks, provided they issue a warning. | ||
| 2024-05-13 | Green Living Grants | All information sent |
| The request sought statistics on Green Living Grants and EPC surveys, to which the Department for Enterprise responded with data on grant offers, payments, and clarified that Manx Home Energy Audits (MHEAs) replaced EPCs. | ||
| 2024-04-30 | Employment Agencies List and Enforcement | All information sent |
| The request sought a list of registered employment agencies and details of enforcement actions over the last five years. The Department for Enterprise disclosed a list of 24 licensed agencies and provided summaries of six specific enforcement cases or investigations. | ||
| 2024-04-26 | Contract to ACUE regarding TT Races | All information sent |
| The request sought details on the research justifying a non-competitive contract with ACUE for the TT Races and the associated yearly costs. The Department for Enterprise disclosed that ACUE is the only qualified organizer due to licensing and experience, and revealed the 2024 contract value and specific payment to ACUE. | ||
| 2024-04-16 | Permit for TT firework display in Douglas Bay Marine Nature Reserve | All information sent |
| The requester asked for permits regarding fireworks in the Douglas Bay Marine Nature Reserve for 2019, 2022, and 2023, along with confirmation on cleanup efforts and plastic-free policies. The authority responded by providing a new permit for June 2024 which mandates the use of biodegradable materials and requires the site to be returned to its pre-activity state, though it did not explicitly provide the historical permits for the requested years. | ||
| 2024-03-25 | Memorandum of Understanding with AI Singapore | All information sent |
| 2024-03-21 | IOM Opportunities Strategic Partnership Agreement and Complaints | All information sent |
| 2024-03-18 | Organisation Chart | All information sent |
| 2024-02-28 | PRO transactions log | All information sent |
| The request sought a transaction log for a specific Department of Home Affairs file regarding police employment terms held at the Public Record Office. The authority disclosed all information, providing details on the file's transfer, closure period expiry, and a log of six specific access events between 2022 and 2024. | ||
| 2024-02-13 | Catering at TT24 Grandstand | All information sent |
| 2024-02-06 | TT Races: Wallaby Risk Assessment | All information sent |
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