THE leader of the Isle of Wight Council has warned Islanders not to expect millions of pounds in extra government cash to be included in next week's budget.

However Councillor Dave Stewart has insisted that the Prime Minister remains supportive of the long-awaited Island Deal.

The council says Boris Johnson has again given assurances that he is committed to providing extra financial support to recognise the Isle of Wight's remote location and its increased spending requirements.

The proposed deal aims to put the Isle of Wight on the same footing as other British islands.

Boris Johnson met a delegation of Isle of Wight councillors at the Conservative Councillors' Association conference in Hinkley, Leicestershire last weekend.

The council leader said the PM was supportive, but Mr Stewart admitted to the County Press that the money was not imminent: "Boris Johnson is very aware of our focus on the Island Deal.

"He's also referred us to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak.

"I'm not expecting an announcement in the budget."

In October, Island MP Bob Seely wrote to Mr Johnson asking for millions of pounds for public services.

During the Queen's Speech debate, Mr Seely told parliamentary colleagues: “The Isle of Wight has to all intents and purposes been treated as part of the mainland United Kingdom, because we have never had additional support despite the additional costs.

“The Prime Minister has been generous enough to agree the need for an Island settlement.

"He has done so on visits to the Island in June, on record in the House on September 25 and in private conversations with me.

This week Cllr Stewart told the County Press he believed the snap general election had held-up matters, but he was hopeful there would be more detailed news in the government's autumn financial statement.