Four MHKs stood during yesterday evening's Tynwald debate to voice their opposition to the Department of Education's proposals - John Houghton, Leonard Singer, Brenda Cannell and Kate Beecroft.

Mrs Beecroft listed alternative ways of making savings, such as privatising the airport, raising income tax, the investment in Pinewood and slashing government's wage bill.

She said there were many areas where departments were spending money on what the public did not perceive as priorities - roundabouts, new trains and bendy buses, for example.

Mrs Beecroft said this was a symptom of the budget process, and called once again for it to be overhauled: