The Isle of Wight is set to receive a major financial boost through the new Hampshire and Solent Combined County Authority, with £44.6 million a year pledged to the authority to drive growth, jobs and better transport.
Local Government Minister, Jim McMahon, has written to the 4 Solent area authority Leaders confirming that once the HSCCA is established – following the mayoral election in May 2026 – the combined authority will receive £44.6 million each year for 30 years. This long-term Investment Fund, calculated on a per-capita basis to ensure fairness, is a unique opportunity to deliver tailored improvements across the Solent region. The funding will be split equally between capital and revenue, with complete flexibility to target local priorities. The Isle of Wight, as an equal member of the combined authority, will benefit from its significant share of this strategic investment funding. It is the 2nd-highest funding settlement ever for an England devolution area.
In addition, the HSCCA will receive Mayoral Capacity Funding to support the set-up and development of the new authority. The first instalment of £1 million will be provided in 2025-26, followed by a minimum of £3 million over the subsequent 3 years, enabling the Isle of Wight and its partners to prepare thoroughly for day-one delivery of projects and services.
This investment represents a transformational opportunity for the Isle of Wight. It will allow the Island to improve services such as transport, unlock new housing and infrastructure projects, and expand skills and employment programmes designed to meet local needs. As part of the Combined Authority, the Isle of Wight will have a direct voice in decision-making, ensuring that regional priorities reflect the Island’s unique geography, economy, and communities.
Ministerial statements reaffirm that these funds are new and exclusive to areas within the Devolution Priority Programme at the mayoral tier, highlighting the Government’s commitment to regional growth and local empowerment. It is also the start point for additional funding and devolved areas are already receiving substantial, multi million-pound, further grants in addition to this core funding.
The Isle of Wight Council and partner authorities will continue to work closely to establish the HSCCA, ensuring that residents benefit from these unprecedented opportunities as soon as the new combined authority is operational.
Speaking today, Cllr Phil Jordan Leader of the Isle of Wight Council said:
“This is a landmark moment for the Isle of Wight. Being part of the Hampshire and Solent Combined County Authority means we will have a direct voice in shaping regional decisions while securing significant investment for our communities. The £44.6 million annual funding, along with dedicated Mayoral Capacity Funding, will allow us to improve transport, create jobs, enhance skills, and unlock infrastructure projects that matter most to our residents. Devolution gives the Island the opportunity to plan for the future on our terms, ensuring sustainable growth and a stronger, more connected Solent region. We are, and will remain, equal partners in the strategic combined authority with an equal voice, an equal vote and equally benefitting with our partner authorities”
Article continues below this advertisement
It will be spent on vanity projects with very little if any benefit to residents.
“Local Government Reforms in doubt as chief architect and proponent is sacked.
Jim McMahon, architect behind the local government reorganisation and devolution proposals has lost his job working for Angela Raynor as local government minister amid a shake up of top jobs by Prime Minister Keir Starmer following the exit of Angela Rayner.
The MP for Oldham West and Royton was appointed Minister of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in July 2024, but today (September 6) Downing Street announced he had left the government.
Cllr Chris Jarman JP
Independent Councillor for Totland and Colwell
Leader Empowering Islanders Group
“It may be mute anyway”
Don’t you mean “moot”?
Mute is what most residents wish their respective County Councillors were!
ooooh, hang on…. this doesn’t mean anything! It only gets to the IOW if the 93% in the Solent want it. Good Phil needs gets his best dress on for the Island.
Jordans drink cabinet filled – check. Brown envelopes ready to be issued – check. Back pockets filled – check. Ventnors roads cleared, no sorry no money left. Load of hogwash, there is nothing new here, just empty words.
what do we currently receive, is this £44.6m more or is it less annually?
it needs to be spent efficiently, not propping up bad decisions made previously eg: floating bridge.
improving transport, does that mean the ferry companies will hold out their hands expectantly? If RF as they state lose £2m PW, it won’t go very far.
we should remember this is tax money, it’s ours, not a gift
I for one am for devolution, what do we currently have,
let me tell you.
No.1
The most expensive Ferry fares in the world per mile.
No.2
Nightly parking charges of £2.00
unless you do what others do and park on the pavements
FREE OF CHARGE in Sandown.
No.3
50p to use toilets is a joke, the island is full of
elderly persons who need to use toilets, many due to
health reasons.
No.4 speeding motorists on the island is rife
I could go on and on.
Use the money to invest in speed cameras etc,
make the island a safer place.
Roll on devolution.
None of the points you raise will be resolved by devolution.
EiE: “I could go on and on.”
Yep,.. you usually do….
However, as stated by Marcus, None of the points you raise have anything to do with devolution…
What about housing?
That will quickly get wasted on vanity projects
I am not as a rule a betting man but I would wager a great deal of money that if the Island becomes part of this new authority with Hants, because the vast majority of people live on the mainland, fundsing will be sucked out of the Island and we will be left high and dry.
If Phil Jordan has anything to do with it , it’ll go straight into council pockets and minimum spent by taking shortcuts
Tunnel or bridge
A bridge would be cheaper
A tunnel would be more effective
Neither will ever happen