The four candidates standing for Arbory, Castletown and Malew locked horns in a live election debate which was dominated by housing issues.

Graham Cregeen, Steve Crowther, Tim Glover and Jason Moorhouse are all hoping to be successful in this month’s ballot.

They each put forward their case and took questions from members of the public.

Steve Crowther said the situation for those hoping to get on the housing ladder is bleak and needs changing.

’We all know there isn’t going to be any first-time buyer housing - because current legislation means that the developer at the moment, can sell, en-bloc, the affordable homes to buy-to-let,’ Mr Crowther said.

A more cost-effective way of getting people into the property market was suggested by Tim Glover.

’Government owns a lot of land - a lot of brownfield sites.

’Why aren’t we selling plots like we have done in the past.

Ballalough just down the road here, over School Hill - it was built that way.

’A plot was sold and then you built your own house.

Jason Moorhouse said increasing the housing stock was key.

’The key problem that remains is that there’s an issue in terms of availability.

’We need to plug that gap, because until young people can get a home, they’re not going to be happy staying on the island, they’ll look for alternatives.

Justice and home affairs minister Graham Cregeen suggested that changing the land registration fee could help.

’One of the things that we can do is actually put some additional cost in land registration fee.

’So if it’s your second, your third or your fourth house, you then increase the cost of that registration.

’And then you can use that money.

Mental health, education, the economy, anti-social behaviour and the size of the government were other issues put to the candidates by members of the public.