Higher earning families may have to use savings put aside for their children

The education minister says says he sympathises with the hard choices facing higher-earning families who are being asked to pay most towards their children's university fees.

But Tim Crookall says introducing charges is the only way the department can save £4.5 million from its budget and avoid axing front-line teaching posts.

Next week Tynwald will vote on the introduction of a universal charge towards fees for all students, and additional contributions for those with household incomes of £80,000 or more.

In the run-up to the crucial vote, the department's had a deluge of letters, calls and emails from higher earners, many of whom complain they haven't had time to plan for the extra expense.

Mr Crookall says if they've put money aside for their children's future - they may need to spend it: