The government is still trying to save money and it’s seeking further inspiration from members of the public.

People with bright ideas for saving money are invited to go to drop-in sessions that have been oranised in four locations around the island in the next few weeks.

Middle MHK Bill Shimmins is the chairman of the of the government’s so-called SAVE (Securing Added Value and Efficiencies) campaign and the forthcoming sessions were announced by him.

The first takes place today (Thursday April 13) from midday to 3pm in Castletown library with David Ashford MHK. The second is a week later, April 20, again with David Ashford, but this time at Douglas library between midday and 3pm. The following week, on April 27, the venue changes to Ramsey library, again between midday and 3pm but this time with Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper. The final session is on May 4 at Peel town hall, slightly later, between 1pm and 4pm, with Bill Shimmins.

Anyone with an interest is invited to attend one of the discussions to discuss ideas on how government could save money and sustain services.

Mr Shimmins said: ’I want to thank the public of the Isle of Man for engaging so readily with the project. It’s been live for less than a week, but already the online ideas hub has seen more than 300 submissions and some ideas have stimulated lively discussions among contributors. Clearly people have given serious thought to how government could streamline its services, cut waste or do things in new and innovative ways.’

The SAVE scheme was set up by Treasury minister Alfred Cannan MHK as a way of targeting savings which need to reach £25 million over the next five years.

Mr Shimmins and Mr Hooper will also meet staff and students at the University College, Isle of Man on April 28 to discuss the SAVE programme.

Ideas on how to achieve savings can also be submitted in writing using forms provided at the drop in sessions or available in today’s Isle of Man Examiner, the Manx Independent on April 20 and the Isle of Man Courier on May 5.

The drop-in sessions are intended to complement the on-line ideas ’hub’ on the government website at www.gov.im/save.

Every idea submitted through the website or the write-in forms will be looked at by the SAVE team, as it develops proposals for the Council of Ministers to consider.

The council will then decide which to develop further and implement across government.

Mr Shimmins asked everyone who cares about the future of the Isle of Man to join the challenge to find new ways of working and innovative ideas to create savings.

The deadline for submissions is May 14.