Cabinet Office

Overview

Outcome Breakdown

Requests by Year

Top Topics

• Healthcare & Public Health (113 requests)
• Government & Administration (98 requests)
• Finance & Tax (72 requests)
• Transport & Roads (65 requests)
• Planning & Housing (64 requests)

Notable Cases (217)

[~] Information on the Lease between Orsted and Isle of Man Government

2026-03-03 | Information not held

A request was made for documents regarding the 2015 seabed lease between the Isle of Man Government and DONG Energy (now Ørsted) for the Mooir Vannin offshore wind project, including financial terms and amendments. The Cabinet Office responded that the requested information is not held.

• The request concerns the 2015 agreement between the Isle of Man Government and DONG Energy (now Ørsted).
• The project involves a seabed lease for offshore wind farm development in Isle of Man territorial waters.
• The lease was originally for exploration but transitioned to the commercial 'Mooir Vannin' project.

Data: 2015, November 30, 2030, 700MW, 1.4GW, 3 March 2026

[-] Letters between External Relations, and the UK Ministry of Justice

2026-02-03 | No information sent - all held but exempt

A request for correspondence between the Isle of Man Cabinet Office and the UK Ministry of Justice regarding the Assisted Dying Bill was refused as all information was held but exempt under international relations provisions. While the specific letters were withheld, the authority provided links to a summary letter to Tynwald Members and upcoming Hansard records as an alternative.

• The request covered correspondence since February 2025 regarding the Assisted Dying Bill.
• Information was withheld under section 29(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• The exemption was applied because disclosure would likely prejudice relations between the Isle of Man and the UK.

Data: 5275113, 2026-02-03, 2026-03-02, February 2025, 10 February 2026

Exemptions: Section 29(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Prejudice to relations between the Island and the United Kingdom)

[-] Get Online Centre

2026-02-02 | Some information sent but part exempt

The request sought comprehensive cost, usage, and governance data for the Isle of Man's Get Online Centre, but the response only disclosed a partial document detailing the project's funding history and revised cost estimates due to pandemic delays.

• The Get Online Centre initiative originated from a £46,000 bid submitted in December 2019, with £44,351 granted.
• Project implementation was paused in March 2020 to repurpose the Welcome Centre as a COVID-19 contact centre.
• Plans resumed in February 2022, but rising hardware and material costs necessitated a budget review.

Data: £46,000, £44,351, 19th December 2019, March 2020, April 2022

[-] Conferences

2026-01-21 | Some information sent but part exempt

The request sought itemised lists of all purchases made by Isle of Man officials at the 2024 Labour and Conservative Party Conferences. The Cabinet Office provided partial information regarding travel, accommodation, and conference passes, but withheld specific meal details and personal data under exemptions.

• The request was received on 2026-01-21 and responded to on 2026-03-09, exceeding the statutory 20 working day limit.
• Information was provided for four attendees: Chief Minister Alfred Cannan, Minister Tim Johnston, CEO Andy Ralphs, and External Relations Manager Alana Arculus.
• Specific meal descriptions (e.g., 'chicken curry') were withheld because the Cabinet Office does not record such granular details.

Data: 2026-01-21, 2026-03-09, 22 September to 25 September 2024, 29 September to 2 October 2024, £177.77

Exemptions: Section 25(2)(b)(ii) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (absolutely exempt personal information); Article 5 of the General Data Protection Regulation (data protection principles); Article 6 of the GDPR (conditions for lawful processing)

[-] costal erosion line a new request

2026-01-01 | Some information sent but part exempt

The request sought internal Cabinet Office records regarding the coastal erosion line for Kirk Michael in the Draft Area Plan for the North & West. The authority provided partial information, including a 2021 email discussing the Coastline Management Zone and excerpts from a 2016 JBA Consulting report on flood risks.

• The response includes an email from Fiona Huyton dated 24 June 2021 regarding the Coastline Management Zone for Kirk Michael.
• A 2016 report by JBA Consulting titled 'National Strategy on Sea Defences, Flooding and Coastal Erosion' was referenced.
• The report identifies Peel, Kirk Michael, Ballaugh, Andreas, and The Ayres as key areas for the Area Plan for the North and West.

Data: 24 June 2021, 2007, 2000, June 2016, 200 year return period

[-] Move from Microsoft Exchange Unified Messaging to Cisco Unity

2025-12-31 | Some information sent but part exempt

A request was made for details regarding the migration of voicemail services from Microsoft Exchange to Cisco Unity, including costs and decision documents. The authority disclosed an options paper outlining the technical rationale and migration strategy but withheld specific cost figures and internal correspondence.

• Microsoft Exchange 2016 and 2019 end of extended support is scheduled for 14 October 2025.
• Unified Messaging services (Voicemail and Auto Attendant) have been deprecated in newer Exchange versions.
• The recommended strategy is to migrate Voicemail to Cisco Unity and Auto Attendants to Cisco Unified Communications Manager.

Data: 14.October.2025, 26/07/2024, Exchange 2016, Exchange 2019, Version: 0.1

[~] Human trafficking

2025-12-30 | Information not held

A request was made to the Cabinet Office for details regarding a human trafficking case involving 17 counts, including victim numbers, accommodation costs, and social security expenses. The Cabinet Office responded that it does not hold the requested information and directed the requester to the Treasury and the Isle of Man Constabulary.

• The Cabinet Office does not hold the information requested regarding the human trafficking case.
• Matters relating to Social Security and Immigration fall under the remit of the Treasury.
• The Isle of Man Constabulary may be able to assist with aspects of the request regarding the trafficking gang.

Data: 17 counts, 3 people accused, 2025-12-18, 2025-12-29, 2025-12-30

[-] Territorial Seas - UK's response to Chief Minister's request

2025-10-28 | Some information sent but part exempt

The request sought correspondence between the Isle of Man Chief Minister and the UK Government regarding the territorial sea median line and EEZ from May 2024 onwards. The response disclosed internal Isle of Man emails from January and February 2024 discussing the drafting and potential release of a letter to the UK Ministry of Justice, though the outcome was noted as partially exempt.

• The request concerns the future of the sea area beyond the Isle of Man's 12 nautical mile territorial limit and the median line with the UK.
• The Chief Minister's initial letter to the UK Ministry of Justice was drafted in early 2024 following a Tynwald resolution.
• Internal correspondence reveals discussions about sharing the letter with Tynwald Members and the potential for it to enter the public domain.

Data: May 2024, 12 nautical mile, 2025-10-28, 2025-11-26, 63 pages

[~] Manx residents/visitors serving in the IDF?

2025-09-08 | Information not held

The requester asked the Cabinet Office for details on systems to identify Manx residents serving in the IDF and the legal mechanisms to prosecute them. The Cabinet Office responded that it does not hold this information and suggested contacting the Customs and Immigration Division instead.

• The Cabinet Office confirmed it does not hold the requested information regarding IDF service identification or prosecution mechanisms.
• The authority advised the requester to contact the Customs and Immigration Division of Treasury for potential assistance.
• The response was issued on 26 September 2025 following a request received on 8 September 2025.

Data: 2025-09-08, 2025-09-26, 4919213, 3, 1

[-] Meningitis

2025-09-02 | Some information sent but part exempt

The requester sought details about a single meningitis case reported in September 2022 and the notification procedures for Manx Care and schools. The Cabinet Office withheld specific case details as personal data under an absolute exemption but provided the general regulatory framework for disease notification.

• Information regarding the specific September 2022 meningitis case was withheld because it constitutes personal data that could identify an individual.
• The Cabinet Office cited Section 25 of the Act as the absolute exemption for withholding the case details.
• Registered medical practitioners must notify the Proper Officer of suspected notifiable diseases within 3 days.

Data: September 2022, 2021, 2022, 3 days, SD 2023/0282

Exemptions: Section 25 of the Act (absolutely exempt personal information); Data Protection (Application of GDPR) Order 2018; Article 5 of the General Data Protection Regulation

[~] CO MEMO to Planning Inspector AP25/0003

2025-08-27 | Upheld - partial

The request sought drafts, circulation details, and meeting records regarding a Cabinet Office memo on housing need for Planning Appeal AP25/0003. The authority partially upheld the request by disclosing a detailed summary update on residential approval data, land supply, and housing projections from 2011 to 2025.

• The response provides housing approval statistics between 01/07/2011 and 01/01/2025 to inform the determination of application 24/00713/A.
• The Strategic Plan 2016 set a total housing need of 5,100 units for the Island across the 2011-2026 period.
• The overall take-up rate for planning approvals granted between 2011 and 2025 is 57%, with an 18% lapse rate.

Data: 01/07/2011, 01/01/2025, 27/02/2025, 2025-08-27, 2025-12-22

[-] Information regarding controller / processor relationship(s) for PiP

2025-08-13 | Some information sent but part exempt

The request sought the Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) and documents identifying controller/processor relationships for the PiP payroll system. The authority provided a partial response containing risk assessments and mitigation strategies from the DPIA, though some information was withheld under exemptions.

• The PiP system stores sensitive employment data including trade union membership, bank details, and special categories like ethnicity and religion.
• Access to special category data is restricted to employees and limited OHR system administration accounts.
• Document attachment functionality was switched off pending assessment to prevent excessive data collection.

Data: 2025-08-13, 2025-09-23, 83, 2

Exemptions: Part exempt

[~] Asylum seekers

2025-08-12 | Information not held

The requester asked for statistics on asylum seekers, benefits, housing, and deportations in the Isle of Man. The Cabinet Office responded that no information is held because the Isle of Man lacks the legislative framework to process asylum claims, meaning no asylum seekers are present.

• People cannot claim asylum on the Isle of Man.
• The Island does not have the appropriate legislative or administrative framework to handle asylum seekers.
• Anyone wishing to claim asylum must travel to the UK to do so.

Data: 4861253, 11 August 2025, 2025-08-11, 2025-08-12, IM1 3PN

Exemptions: Information not held

[+] Welfare

2025-08-05 | All information sent

The request sought statistics on staff contacting welfare services in the Isle of Man public sector over the last three years, broken down by department. The Cabinet Office disclosed total assessment numbers and a departmental breakdown, noting that smaller departments were grouped to protect anonymity.

• The Staff Welfare Service provides support for issues including work-related problems, stress, and bereavement to all public service staff.
• Total initial assessments increased from 513 in 2022-2023 to 540 in 2024-2025.
• Manx Care had the highest number of welfare assessments in all three years, rising from 100 to 207.

Data: 513, 529, 540, 100, 188

[+] New employment positions created in last five years

2025-07-16 | All information sent

The request sought data on new government employment positions created over the last five financial years, specifically asking for a departmental breakdown. The Cabinet Office disclosed that precise data on 'new' roles versus amended roles is not captured, but provided tables showing the net increase in open positions by department for each financial year from 2020 to 2025.

• The Office of Human Resources cannot distinguish between creating a post for new work versus amending an existing post or creating duplicates for leave cover.
• Position counts are not considered an accurate indicator of workforce size compared to Full Time Equivalent (FTE) measures.
• The response includes tables showing the number of open positions existing on 31 March each year that did not exist the previous year.

Data: 2025-07-16, 2025-09-12, 2020, 2021, 2021/2022

Most Cited Exemptions

See Also

• Transparency Scorecard
• Outcome Trends