UNISON Warns Of Job Losses And Service Cuts As Isle Of Wight Council Faces Funding Crisis

UNISON has raised serious concerns about the future of local services and jobs, as Isle of Wight Council grapples with a growing budget shortfall.

The union, which represents around 1,000 council staff, says changes to the Government’s “fair funding” formula are set to significantly reduce funding to the Isle of Wight over the coming years — despite increasing demand for services.

UNISON warns the council faces a structural deficit of more than £20 million in the year ahead, potentially rising to £39 million by 2027/28 and as much as £64 million by 2029/30.

As a result, at least £1.25 million in staffing savings may be required, placing around 30 full-time equivalent jobs at risk.

The union says this has created widespread uncertainty among staff, who are already stretched due to vacancy freezes and reduced resources.

To avoid issuing a Section 114 notice — which would effectively declare the council unable to balance its budget — the authority is considering applying for Exceptional Financial Support from central government.

This would take the form of a loan, estimated at around £13 million, to be repaid over 20 years.

UNISON says it supports the council’s efforts to secure fairer funding and an “Island Deal” that reflects the higher costs of delivering services on the Island, including transport challenges and an ageing population.

Mark Chiverton, Secretary of UNISON’s Isle of Wight Local Government Branch, said services have already been “decimated” after more than £100 million in real-terms cuts since 2010, warning that further redundancies could have “potentially disastrous implications”.

The union is also urging the council to continue full consultation with staff and trade unions, and says discussions are already under way to minimise compulsory redundancies, including exploring voluntary options.

Final decisions are expected to be made when councillors agree the budget later this month.