Councillor Phil Jordan, Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, shares this latest news. Ed
Yesterday, Government confirmed that it is minded approving borrowing under Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) for the Isle of Wight Council.
I want to speak openly, honestly, and determinedly to Island residents about what this actually means, why it does not solve our financial problems, and why the Government’s approach continues to fail Island communities.
Borrowing is not fairness
Borrowing is not funding. Borrowing is not fairness. The Government’s letter may sound reassuring, but let us be clear. EFS is not new funding. It is not investment. It’s not a grant. It is permission to take on debt.
Debt does not fix the pressures created by years of underfunding. Debt does not recruit Social workers, Teachers, Care workers. Debt does not fill potholes. Debt does not protect vulnerable residents or keep services running. Debt simply kicks the problem further down the road – at further financial cost to the council and to our Island.
The Isle of Wight has been left behind
The Government claims it is “delivering fairer funding” and updating the way councils are supported. But once again, the Isle of Wight has been left behind.
We are the only council in England that must deliver essential services across the Solent – with the unique costs of transport, isolation, and duplication that brings. Every administration, of every political colour, has made this case to Whitehall. Every independent review has backed our argument. Yet the Government continues to sidestep the fundamental truth and ignore us.
Gov does not recognise our Island’s specific needs
We cannot sustainably run Island services on Mainland funding formulas. The letter from the Minister speaks of “transition to new funding allocations,” but offers nothing that recognises our Island’s specific needs.
Nothing that fixes the gap. Nothing that gives us the fair deal we have fought for, year after year.
Funding below our needs
Borrowing under EFS may prevent an immediate crisis, but it does not correct the fact that we are funded below our need.
It does not address rising demand in adult social care, children’s services, SEND, or homelessness. It only allows us to borrow our way through another year.
Islanders deserve honesty
Borrowing is not a solution. Borrowing increases future pressure. Borrowing is the consequence of Government failure, not council mismanagement.
The letter suggests councils should “take all reasonable steps” to manage local pressures. We have. We continue to. The real question is why we must keep doing so without the fair settlement every Islander knows we deserve.
It also warns councils to “minimise” borrowing – even while the Government forces us into the position where borrowing is the only option left. That is not leadership from Whitehall. It is abdication.
This is not good news
Residents can be assured we will comply with the requirements for review and assurance. We will engage constructively. We always do.
But I will not pretend this is good news. I will not pretend that borrowing is what Islanders asked for. And I will not pretend that Government has listened.
Our Island deserves better than this
You deserve better than this. Our Island deserves better than this. We asked for fair funding. We asked for recognition of our unique challenges. We asked for a sustainable financial solution.
What we have been offered is more debt. And more debt. And more debt. Year on year for another 20 years.
I will continue to fight for a fair settlement
I will continue to fight for a fair settlement for the Isle of Wight – publicly, persistently, and unapologetically. We will keep demanding what every Island resident knows is right and that is funding must reflect the real cost of delivering services on our Island.
Until then, we will do everything in our power to protect services, support our residents, and speak the truth about the financial reality imposed upon us.
This is not the end of the conversation. This is the beginning of a renewed fight for fairness.
