East Wight MP Joe Robertson has stepped up his challenge to the Government’s £13.4million funding cut to the Isle of Wight Council, warning that the move risks deepening existing inequalities across the Island.
Following on from a recent meeting with the Local Government Minister Alison McGovern, as previously reported by Island Echo, Mr Robertson has now written to the Department for Levelling Up and raised the matter in Parliament, urging Ministers to revisit the data behind the proposed reduction in funding.
In his letter, Mr Robertson voiced support for Isle of Wight Council Leader Phil Jordan’s call for an urgent ministerial meeting, describing the settlement as part of a growing divide between rural and urban areas. Government figures project that urban councils will receive 41% more spending power per head than rural authorities such as the Isle of Wight.
The MP also questioned the evidence being used to justify the funding decision. While Ministers have cited analysis by the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods (ICON), Mr Robertson pointed out that the Isle of Wight East constituency was ranked by ICON as the second most ‘left behind’ in the country. He is now pressing the Government to release the alternative datasets used to make their decision.
Joe Robertson MP has said:
“Despite this independent evidence being available to the Government, Ministers appear to have set aside ICON’s data in favour of alternative datasets that favour urban areas. I have met with ICON directly, and their work only reinforces the scale of the challenge we face on the Island.
“We finally have the data we need but the Government is refusing to use it when deciding Council allocations. This is not about asking for special treatment, it is about fair treatment. If the Government is serious about spreading opportunity and supporting left behind communities, it cannot ignore the realities of Island life.”
Mr Robertson is calling on Ministers to reconsider whether the proposed cuts properly account for island-specific challenges, including ferry dependency and higher service delivery costs.
The MP’s intervention builds on comments made earlier this month, in which he described the planned reduction as a failure to recognise the Island’s unique circumstances. He continues to campaign for a fairer long-term funding formula and improved cross-Solent transport arrangements.
If they have a funding issue why consider
paying councillors more money.
The island could place speed cameras islandwide
and make a mint.
Also rollout island permit parking charges.
I was driving around the island today and the amount
of vehicles parked on Double Yellow Lines was shocking.
Even along narrow Brading High Street
WHERE ARE THE CIVIL ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
How would any money raised from speeding & parking help the budget deficit?
Or are you just telling us you are ignorant on local government finances?
Yup, totally. In spite of being nudged many, many times towards the actual facts. Reply is usually (without doing any research whatsoever) ‘Rubbish’.
Wilful ignorance at it’s finest.
Bath and North East Somerset council are
slapping motorists with SUVs and LARGER vehicles
higher charges.
It raises extra revenue for struggling councils
Every little helps.
wow you really are getting pathetic with your drivel now.
IW council facing a central government funding crisis & you’re suggesting making it worse by spending a shed-load of money on speed cameras, & a parking permit scheme that has been mathematically shown to be non-viable.
Bath and North East Somerset council are
slapping motorists with SUVs and LARGER vehicles
higher charges
It raises extra revenue for struggling Councils.
Every little helps
Here we go again,same old drivel from a miserable old pensioner,come on island echo,block this pillock,we are all sick of hearing it.
Bath and North East Somerset council are
slapping motorists with SUVs and LARGER vehicles
higher charges
It raises extra revenue for struggling councils
Every little helps
Bath and North East Somerset council are
slapping motorists with SUVs and LARGER vehicles
higher charges
It raises extra revenue for struggling councils
Every little helps.
The need yhe money to rent the Chagos Islands back.
Nice to see Joe on the BBC today. Keep up the good work. Appreciated.