Chief Minister Howard Quayle has rejected accusations that the Manx Budget process prevents public engagement.

During last week’s Budget debate, several Tynwald members expressed dismay there had been no changes to the system, which sees the Budget revealed to the public and voted on by politicians on the same day.

They argued it prevents public engagement.

Tynwald members are informed of the Budget two weeks in advance, but are not allowed to reveal its contents.

Mr Quayle said: ’You have the elected MHKs representing the public. Those in Tynwald, with the exception of Mr Speaker (Juan Watterson) and Mr Robertshaw sit on a department, so they are involved in the Budget process for their department.

’The Treasury Minister invited all of Tynwald, from July to September, to give their views on what they thought should be in the Budget or at least have a discussion and give an indication on whatever they wanted.’

But, while the government had an ’open door’ policy to hear other views, he added: ’It has to be what is right for the island.’

Last week’s Budget debate may, in hindsight, be seen as the point at which the much-vaunted ’consensus’ approach in Tynwald, since 2016, became a thing of the past.

In the first year after the general election, there was much talk about a new era in politics, with an end to the backbiting and personal sniping.

The ’consensus’ approach was lauded by Tynwald members as a way to work together to find a way forward.

While the personal animosities of previous parliaments have yet to return, there was an edge to some of Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan’s comments as he used his opening speech to pre-empt the criticisms he anticipated.

Four MHKs voted against the Budget, several more spoke out to criticise it.

Mr Quayle admitted afterwards: ’You are never going to have everyone 100% happy with the Budget or with government policies.’

But he insisted it was a good Budget. He argued it had been welcomed by businesses and offered plenty for those in need.

Mr Cannan’s measures included taking a further 1,700 out of the tax net by lifting personal allowances, increases of 3.3% to child benefit and 3% to the state pension, more pre-school credits for parents to meet costs and new pension freedoms.

But critics argued that welfare increases fell below the rate of inflation and expressed concern at the continuation of the 1% cap on public sector pay increases.

It was revealed on Friday that Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper had been booted off the government’s SAVE team, following his outspoken criticism of last week’s Budget.

Mr Cannan wrote to Mr Hooper telling him that his position with the SAVE team was now ’irreconcilable’.

Mr Hooper, a member of Liberal Vannin, was one of the four MHKs to vote against thre Budget.

He tweeted: ’Turns out our Treasury Minister doesn’t appreciate constructive criticism. So much for wanting genuine & honest input eh?’

SAVE - Securing Added Value and Efficiencies - was set up by Mr Cannan last year to ’spearhead efforts to make ongoing cost reductions totalling £25m over the next five years’.