10 DOWNING STREET
LONDON 

9 February 2016
THE PRIME MINISTER

(w 3

At Prime Minister's Questions on 3 February you asked about Government
support for the Isle of Wight so that it can set a balanced budget next year.

I recognise the particular challenges faced by the Island and the Minister for
Local Govemment, Marcus Jones, has already shared some of your concerns
with me I understand that arrangements are being made for senior officials
from the Department for Communities and Local Govemment to visit your
council to continue discussions about the Isle of Wight's unique situation and its
finance in future years.

In my answer to you, I said that spending power will increase in the
next year when, of course, I meant that spending power would rise over
the next five years. As I said, the local government settlement is relatively flat
in cash terms over the five years and that is why we are also giving councils the
flexibility to use the receipts from the sale of land and property to help deliver
transformation.

 

Mr Andrew 'l'umer MP