Gef’s Morning Brief

Road Safety

The police are looking for a budding artist to design their next road safety campaign.

All you need (probably more for children, but the cops say there is no age limit) need to do is design a bright and catchy poster relating to road safety. It could focus on speeding, using your phone while driving or anything else really.

The winner will have their artwork displayed across the island. To enter, email Bernie.hall@gov.im or post to Road Safety, Police HQ, Dukes Avenue, Douglas. Entries close September 1.

Right or Flight

People planning to travel off the Isle of Man by plane this summer are being urged to know their ‘flight rights’ and have insurance due to ongoing disruption at some UK airports. The advice from the OFT follows continued flight delays and cancellations, which are still affecting travellers across the UK and further afield.

The OFT encourages travellers to check the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) website before booking tickets, so they know exactly what they are entitled to if they run into difficulty.  Anyone who is still unclear after looking at the CAA website can contact the OFT for advice by calling 686500 or emailing iomfairtrading@gov.im.

Consumers are also encouraged to have adequate travel insurance in place in case their holiday plans or work trip is affected.

John Wannenburgh MHK, Chairman of the OFT said: ‘It is more important than ever that consumers are aware of their flight rights before they confirm their travel plans, whether they are going on holiday or any other reason.   We all need to be aware of how and with whom we should raise a complaint in our hour of need and our advice is to check the terms and conditions before you fly to see what you can do if things go wrong. For example whilst you may be able to claim a refund for a cancelled flight, you may not be entitled to claim for the consequential loss of a holiday because one flight was disrupted.’

Results Day

Around 1,400 students in the Isle of Man will receive their grades this month for a range of courses including A Levels, GCSEs and BTecs. 

They will be the first cohort to be awarded grades based on end-of-year exams since the start of the pandemic.

The disruption faced my pupils during this challenging time will be acknowledged by the awarding bodies for all level 1, 2 and 3 qualifications when setting grade boundaries.

Education Minister Julie Edge said: ‘Our young people have shown remarkable resilience and flexibility but for many this will be their first results based on end of year examinations.

‘I would like to wish everyone the best of luck and remind them that no matter how they do that support is available to provide continuity, awareness of opportunity and support positive progression with their future steps and wellbeing.’

When are results days?

• Thursday 18 August 

A-level, BTec Level 3 and other Level 3 qualifications

• Thursday 25 August 

IGCSE, GCSE and other Level 1 & 2 qualifications 

(BTec and other technical and vocational qualifications)