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The VI funds its operations 100%; UK offers no 'budgetary aid'- Premier Wheatley

- said it is assumed UK assists but it is not so
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said the Virgin Islands (VI) has been responsible for its own operations for decades. Photo: Office of the Premier
While the Virgin Islands is a British Overseas Territory it has been responsible for funding its operations since the late 1970s. Photo: Internet Source
While the Virgin Islands is a British Overseas Territory it has been responsible for funding its operations since the late 1970s. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said the Virgin Islands (VI) has been responsible for its own operations for decades.

Speaking on the Virgin Islands Voice on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, Premier Wheatley said it is naturally assumed that the United Kingdom (UK) helps the territory; however, that is not so. 

“The United Kingdom abides by older rules- Official Direct Assistance- it means that they can only assist- out of their development budget- nations that are considered low-income or developing countries. So we don’t get any development aid from the UK…we don’t get any budgetary aid from the UK.”

Premier Wheatley revealed that the territory has not received budgetary aid from the UK since the late 1970s, when his grandfather, Willard Wheatley, the then Minister of Finance, took the VI out of granting aid. 

“So they don’t give us any budgetary aid, they don’t give us any development aid…we don’t get that type of aid from the United Kingdom.”

Gov’t operations 100% funded by VI treasury

Premier Wheatley took the opportunity to let Virgin Islanders know that government operation is 100 per cent funded by the Government of the Virgin Islands. 

“It’s funded by our taxes and our fees, and our duties. This is what funds our operations here in the Virgin Islands.”

He said the UK, through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, may pay the salaries of some of the staff at the Governor’s Office, but most of these salaries are funded from the VI’s treasury. 

“We haven’t received budgetary aid from the United Kingdom since somewhere around 1977/78…we completely fund our operation,” Premier Wheatley reiterated. 

The UK, he said, may give the territory an environment grant every now and then, which does not amount to millions of pounds but rather tens of thousands of dollars. 

“I’m not minimising it, but I’m just letting persons know, it’s not something you can sustain your budget, but it’s supplementary.”

Premier Wheatley also said the territory’s security is fully self-funded. 

“Persons need to understand that we take primary responsibility for our security. We fund our security a hundred per cent ourselves; it’s not funded from the United Kingdom, they may come in at sme points and help us to get some uniforms, to help us to get some equipment, but we fund our security services.”

11 Responses to “The VI funds its operations 100%; UK offers no 'budgetary aid'- Premier Wheatley”

  • Prove it (10/10/2025, 10:40) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr Wheatley should share audited financial statements for the government for the last five years to support his assertions. My understanding is that no audited government statements have been issued in more than 10 years…
  • Karnage (10/10/2025, 10:41) Like (8) Dislike (9) Reply
    Let them know. I think some are confused. Even after Irma/Maria. Not a cent.
    • @Karnage (10/10/2025, 12:17) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      I think im confused bro cuz i remember uk offered a load and big coach said nah we good.... i also remember them offering an advanced war ship during corona for FREE and big coach said nahhh we goodd........ thanks you masa andrew for saving us from uk
      we luv we the robbery spree going on here we can handle it without masa uk or anyone else. we will use our community
      • Karnage (10/10/2025, 15:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        You said load I think you mean loan? I wouldn't have took it either. Whole place mash up, billions in loss and you talking bout taking on debt. Nah we'll fix it ourself timely.
  • Deficit (10/10/2025, 10:44) Like (14) Dislike (4) Reply
    You left out the part where because of the decisions made by you and your cabinet. The VI has been running at a recurrent deficit since the start of the year. If people paid more attention to the budget address, they would be more aware of how you are sinking the BVI and talking about independence every minute. You have failed this Territory.
  • BuzzBvi (10/10/2025, 11:50) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    We need to fund you a tie and a razor or get you a pay rise.
  • What!!’ (10/10/2025, 12:47) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    UK will not give us any money until we have checks and balances up to date.
    Naturaly they would want to know where their money is going.
  • Selective memory (10/10/2025, 13:50) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Following Hurricane Irma in 2017, the UK provided significant support to the British Virgin Islands (BVI), including immediate humanitarian aid, a substantial military and police deployment, and long-term reconstruction funding
  • Stealth (10/10/2025, 14:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    True, during the Dr. Willard Wheatley, the second Chief Minister and first Minister of Finance and second administration, took Virgin Islands ( VI) (British) off of grant-in-aid in 1978 and the VI has been self- supporting ever since. In the UK -appointed Governor and staff have been supported and funded by VI taxpayers, behaving like parasites on the VI, the host. The last capital project the UK funded was the His Majesty’s Prison ( HMP) at Balsam Ghut. But it has yet to fund a secondary/high school. Speaks volume, does it not? The VI- UK is a crusading scenario; the VI is funding to be unilaterally ruled by the UK .

    Ok, the VI is self- supporting financially/economically but the BIG question is it ready for political self- governance?
  • Shameless (10/10/2025, 15:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yea they fund it off the back of their tax payin citizens... but GO OFF mister premier.! Do ya big one


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