Solent Devolution

Solent Devolution originally arose after the original idea for a Southern Powerhouse faded, following a division between North and South Hampshire.

Made up of the Isle of Wight, Southampton City Council and Portsmouth City Council, the Solent Devolution vision was to bring the areas together in a hope to benefit from the ability to collect 100% business rates, in place of the regional settlement grants that are being withdrawn by central government.

After the Conservative councillors took control of the Isle of Wight council in January 2017, the Devolution deal was scrapped as the Conservatives said they “wanted nothing to do with Portsmouth and Southampton”.

In December 2024 the new Labour Government published a White Paper concerning their intention to devolve powers right across the country.