ISLE of Wight politicians have had their say on the 2017 Autumn Budget.
Chancellor Philip Hammond delivered the budget yesterday (Wednesday), and some of the key announcements included:
• Abolishing Stamp Duty for first-time buyers spending up to £300,000 
• Tobacco will continue to rise by 2 per cent above Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation
• National Living Wage to rise in April 2018 by 4.4 per cent, from £7.50 an hour to £7.83
• £3 billion for Brexit
• £40 million teacher training fund for underperforming schools in England
The Isle of Wight Labour Party said it was 'another missed opportunity to address some of the problems facing the Isle of Wight and the country'.
Island Labour Parliamentary Spokesperson, Julian Critchley, said: "In my view this is a dereliction of duty by this government. More pain, no gain, and nothing but more cuts for the Island's economy.
"This is a budget which will see further NHS services cut on the Island and moved to the mainland. It's a budget which will see class sizes rise in Island schools while AET executives continue to pocket huge salaries. It's a budget which will make it even harder for young islanders to buy homes here, while wealthy second-home owners profit from stamp duty reductions.
"The foodbanks currently appealing for donations on the Island are a consequence of this budget; the anxiety of low-paid islanders who don't know how they'll heat their homes this winter as Universal Credit is introduced, is a consequence of this budget; and the thousands of ordinary Island families who are going to have to cut back on Christmas to make ends meet are a consequence of this budget."
Isle of Wight Green Party member, Vix Lowthion, said the budget failed to address a number of key issues, including funding cuts for schools on the Island.
She said: "The budget says nothing about government further investment in renewable energy - most importantly for the Island, nothing about solar or tidal power.
"Additional tax breaks given for oil and gas exploration - when there are licences granted at Arreton and Compton to drill for oil. And the chancellor announced £3 billion extra needed to fund Brexit - instead of going to our NHS and helping the most vulnerable in our community."
Nick Belfitt, Parliamentary spokesperson for the Isle of Wight Liberal Democrats, said: "The budget seems an attempt by Conservatives to try to put down the growing discontent for their administration.
"The budget itself brings little positives to people when they can see the UK economic growth forecast being cut and people's standard of living is going down.
"On the Island, we are feeling this the hardest.
"There is nothing in the budget for public workers, who are over worked and under paid. Nothing for Island schools who continue struggle because of cuts. While we welcome the extension of the 16-25 train pass as a positive, most Islanders will not benefit from this success."