Department for Enterprise
59 FOI requests | Full disclosure rate: 274.6%
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 (59)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-22 | Changes to Manx Grand Prix Race Schedule 2025 | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought a complete breakdown of emails, business cases, meeting minutes, and correspondence regarding changes to the 2025 Manx Grand Prix schedule, to which the Department for Enterprise responded with a strategic review document while withholding some specific records under exemption. | ||
| 2025-08-08 | TT Feature Film | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought details on the selection process and contracts for a TT feature film involving nine interested parties. The Department for Enterprise confirmed a selection process was used and identified the winning consortium but withheld the specific contract under commercial confidentiality exemptions. | ||
| 2025-07-15 | Monty Halls' Big Blue Bag initiative and ambassadorial role | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought details on delays to the 'Big Blue Bag' marine conservation initiative, correspondence with ambassador Monty Halls, and procurement compliance for his £20,000 contract. The authority released partial information including strategy documents and email chains but withheld specific correspondence and procurement details under exemptions. | ||
| 2025-06-13 | KWC Financial Support Applications 2020-2024 | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought details on seven financial support applications made by King William's College between 2020 and 2024, excluding one under internal review. The Department for Enterprise disclosed a table containing dates, amounts, and statuses for six specific applications, noting that some were withdrawn or pending completion. | ||
| 2025-06-10 | TT 2026 | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought a breakdown of costs for the 2025 Red Arrows display at the Isle of Man TT, which was partially fulfilled with specific financial figures provided while the name of the Flying Display Director was withheld. | ||
| 2025-06-10 | Contracts | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The Department for Enterprise responded to a request for contract details regarding QIA Services Limited, providing the redacted contract, procurement specifications, and board papers while withholding specific cost data and extensive correspondence. | ||
| 2025-05-22 | King Williams College £2.2m grant/loan | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought details on a £2.2m loan to King William's College, including agreements, repayment schedules, and approval documents. The authority disclosed that no repayments have been made and directed the requester to previous FOI responses for most details, while withholding specific approval documents due to breach of confidence. | ||
| 2025-03-18 | Information on $$ Malaysian Endorsement | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought statistics on Business Migrant visa endorsements and details on the decision-making process for a specific refused application. The Department for Enterprise disclosed total application numbers and the general assessment workflow but withheld specific details regarding the individual decision-makers involved in the refusal. | ||
| 2025-03-05 | Financial Assistance Scheme | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for a list of companies and specific grant amounts received under the Financial Assistance Scheme between March 2021 and March 2025. The Department for Enterprise provided a link to annual reports containing company lists but withheld specific grant amounts citing commercial sensitivity. | ||
| 2025-02-13 | Staff bonus payments | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought details on 'special permission' for non-standard staff contracts and copies of individual bonus assessments and objectives for the Department for Enterprise. The authority disclosed the relevant Civil Service Order and Act granting the permission but withheld specific individual remuneration assessments and objectives, citing partial exemptions. | ||
| 2025-02-11 | Digital Isle of Man - Tech Awards 2024 | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought details on applications and judging for the 2024 Tech Team of the Year category, receiving a partial disclosure that included one specific application entry and evaluation criteria while withholding other requested data. | ||
| 2025-02-06 | Enterprise Development Scheme 2018 (EDS) | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought detailed financial data on companies funded by the Enterprise Development Scheme 2018, including names, loan amounts, repayment terms, and returns. The Department for Enterprise disclosed the names of three funded companies and the total funding split but withheld specific individual financial details citing commercial sensitivity. | ||
| 2025-02-05 | Hospitality Board | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request for information regarding the Hospitality Isle of Man Board, including terms of reference, membership, minutes, and the resignation of its chair, resulted in partial disclosure. The Department for Enterprise released the terms of reference and initial meeting minutes but withheld other documents citing that the board is a volunteer group and the information is held on its behalf, while also exempting personal details regarding the chair's resignation. | ||
| 2025-01-09 | Bonus payments | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought details on bonus payments to Department for Enterprise staff over five years, including counts, totals, and specific KPIs. The authority disclosed the number of recipients and total amounts paid but withheld specific performance metrics citing personal data exemptions. | ||
| 2024-12-11 | Ocean Castle Port Erin - Island Infrastructure Money | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought details on funding applications by Ocean Castle Limited for a Port Erin development, but the authority clarified that no such application was made by that entity. While confirming a separate application by the Tevir Group, the Department for Enterprise withheld specific cost details citing commercial interest exemptions. | ||
| 2024-12-09 | Digital Isle of Man at SiGMA Malta | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request for meeting details, expenses, and objectives regarding a Digital Isle of Man trip to Malta was partially fulfilled, with specific documents released but significant information withheld due to data protection and economic interest exemptions. | ||
| 2024-11-05 | DIGITIAL ISLE OF MAN - MANILA TRIP - POGO | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request for Lyle Wraxall's diary, meeting minutes, expense receipts, and registers of interests regarding a Manila trip was partially fulfilled, with the authority disclosing flight itineraries and payment details while withholding other documents. | ||
| 2024-10-04 | Underwritten loans | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought a record of all losses underwritten by Visit Isle of Man between October 2021 and September 2024, but the response provided only a standard offer letter template rather than specific loss data. The authority disclosed the terms and conditions for event funding guarantees while withholding the actual financial records of losses. | ||
| 2024-09-03 | Isle Of Man TT Website | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought details on how the Isle of Man TT website contract was awarded to DotPerformance and the associated costs. The Department for Enterprise confirmed the procurement process and contract date but withheld specific financial figures under a commercial interest exemption. | ||
| 2024-08-29 | TT & MGP Pitlane fire cover | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for historical costs and tender details for fire cover services provided by IOMFRS and SFRS for the TT and MGP events over the past five years. The Department for Enterprise disclosed that it could not provide the specific costs for SFRS due to an upcoming competitive tender, citing commercial prejudice, while the response regarding IOMFRS was cut off in the provided text. | ||
| 2024-07-16 | Government support for the redevelopment of the Ocean Castle site | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for financial cases, meeting minutes, conflict declarations, and strategic analysis regarding government support for the Ocean Castle redevelopment under the Island Infrastructure Scheme. The Department for Enterprise partially responded by providing links to scheme legislation and guidance but withheld specific project documents and analysis. | ||
| 2024-06-18 | The challenges and benefits of relocating to the Isle of Man | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought all records, including contracts and payments, related to a media article on the challenges and benefits of relocating to the Isle of Man. The Department for Enterprise disclosed email correspondence regarding the collaboration but withheld personal data under exemption, confirming no financial expense was incurred for the article. | ||
| 2024-02-20 | TT & MGP General Finances | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2024-01-03 | EET rules 2018 drafting instructions | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2024-01-01 | unlawfully employed previous DHSC CEO investigation | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2023-11-15 | Feasibility Study | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2023-10-26 | Cube | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2023-10-19 | Business help for Manx businesses - Shoprite/Ramsey Bakery etc | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2023-09-04 | Island Infrastructure Scheme | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2023-07-19 | Earystane & Scards, Sulby & Druidale | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2023-01-31 | List of all Dept of Enterprise bids to Treasury | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2023-01-19 | external legal support open data | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2022-06-21 | Economic Interest in Co-Working Facilities | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for details on Department for Enterprise investments, subsidies, and financial support for co-working facilities on the Isle of Man. The Department disclosed information already published under the Enterprise Act 2008 and regarding Barclays Eagle Labs, but withheld specific details on other facilities citing economic prejudice. | ||
| 2022-05-26 | Staffing | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for the Department for Enterprise's organization chart, staff names, job titles, grades, and salary details. The authority provided a temporary organization chart and directed the requester to existing public websites for staff names and titles, but withheld specific salary data and unpublished personal details citing data protection principles. | ||
| 2022-05-06 | TT Races Radio Commentary Tender | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought details on the 2019/20 TT radio commentary tender, its cancellation, and the subsequent 2022 contract awarded to Manx Radio without competition. The Department for Enterprise released some information but withheld specific financial costs and legal advice regarding the tender decision. | ||
| 2022-05-04 | Grants and Financial Assistance | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for details on grants and financial incentives provided to non-Isle of Man companies relocating to the island, but the Department for Enterprise refused to disclose specific information citing economic prejudice. | ||
| 2022-03-15 | MiQuando | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought the contract and payment details between the Department for Enterprise and MiQuando regarding Homestay services. The authority provided the contract and a full breakdown of payments made in 2020 and 2021, noting that some information was part exempt. | ||
| 2022-01-31 | Coronavirus Strategic Support Scheme/Business Support Scheme | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for detailed lists of businesses and individuals receiving grants under the Coronavirus Strategic Support Scheme and Business Support Scheme, including names, addresses, and payment amounts. The Department for Enterprise partially disclosed the information by providing published data on business names and payment amounts but withheld applicant addresses and specific personal names under data protection exemptions. | ||
| 2021-08-12 | Details of the TT Homestay contract with Miquando.com | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for payment details to Miquando.com for the TT Homestay contract over the last five years and the contract's renewal date. The Department for Enterprise responded that some information was sent but part of the request was exempt, closing the case without providing the specific financial or renewal details in the provided text. | ||
| 2021-05-05 | Radio TT | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought documentation regarding the 2019 tender process for radio broadcasting of the Isle of Man TT and associated events. The Department for Enterprise disclosed tender criteria, invitations, agreements, and adverts, but noted that no contract was awarded due to the cancellation of all events between 2020 and 2021. | ||
| 2021-03-12 | How much money has been given to Accommodation Providers? | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought total funding for accommodation providers and specific grants for Ballahowin Courtyard Accommodation under three government schemes. The Department for Enterprise disclosed aggregate figures for two schemes but exempted the specific business data and noted the third scheme is managed by a different division. | ||
| 2020-12-14 | Spend local media campaign | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for a total spend and breakdown of media outlets for the 'Shop Local' campaign, but the Department for Enterprise partially withheld the information citing commercial interests. | ||
| 2020-09-28 | TT | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for details on TT trademark infringement legal actions since 2017, including costs and locations of accused parties. The Department for Enterprise provided some information but withheld specific details regarding personal data and ongoing investigations. | ||
| 2020-07-17 | Grants to Triumph | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for details on grants awarded to Triumph since 2013, including amounts, purposes, and caveats, as well as whether grants were given for a new factory. The Department for Enterprise withheld specific grant details citing economic prejudice but confirmed no grants were given for a new factory and provided links to aggregated annual reports and sample terms. | ||
| 2020-07-15 | National Broadband Plan specifications | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for detailed service specifications and rollout obligations for the National Broadband Plan from both the tender process and the final contract, excluding financial data. The Department for Enterprise provided the requested non-financial specifications but withheld specific financial information regarding subsidy payments. | ||
| 2020-03-02 | Request for a copy of the Analysys Mason report | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for a 2016 Analysys Mason report on the Isle of Man's telecommunications infrastructure commissioned by the Department of Economic Development. The Department released the report but redacted specific pages citing commercial interests and trade secrets. | ||
| 2018-11-26 | Chief Executive Contract | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for the employment contract of the Department for Enterprise's Chief Executive, resulting in the disclosure of a 2012 Statement of Written Particulars for an Interim Director role, though the response was partially exempt. | ||
| 2018-09-26 | Enterprise Development Scheme (EDS) - remaining funds | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for detailed payment lists, company status, and bonus information regarding the Enterprise Development Scheme (EDS). The Department for Enterprise disclosed the total number of payments and companies but withheld specific amounts and dates under a public interest test citing economic prejudice. | ||
| 2018-06-27 | Enterprise Development Scheme | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for names of companies, directors, and beneficiaries receiving Enterprise Development Scheme funding, along with campaign costs. The authority disclosed eight company names and directed the requester to the Companies Registry for director details, but withheld beneficiary information and future company lists citing exemptions. | ||
| 2018-06-06 | Proposed changes to the Employment Tribunal rules | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought details regarding proposed Employment Tribunal rule changes, specifically concerning an individual referred to as 'Person A' and consultation responses. The Department for Enterprise released some consultation responses but withheld information about Person A and a confidential response citing data protection exemptions. | ||
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