Seaside communities could lose 49% of young people
The majority of 18-24 year olds say they're already planning on moving away.
Last updated 16th Sep 2021
Coastal communities are set to lose at least 49 per cent of their young people, with the majority of 18-24 year olds already planning on moving away.
A survey by Maritime UK warns coastal communities like Weymouth and other parts of Dorset are at risk of being left behind.
Jobs were cited as the overwhelming reason with 70% saying they would be more likely to stay if the right career opportunities were made available.
Maritime UK and the Local Government Association Coastal Special Interest Group (LGA Coastal SIG) have urged government to come up with a clear strategy to stem the brain drain, through the launch of a new Coastal Powerhouse manifesto.
The document sets out proposals to install a shore power network across the coast to charge tomorrow’s Teslas of the seas, extend freeports benefits to all seaside areas, boost connectivity with the rest of the country and develop new skills in coastal communities, including digital skills.
Maritime UK chair, Sarah Kenny, said:
“Almost half of our coastal communities’ young are being driven out of some of the most desirable places in the UK through lack of jobs, and unless government comes up with a plan, more are certain to follow.
“There is nothing inevitable about coastal decline. These areas are Britain’s gateway to the world, and can have a high tech, high skilled future as the engine room of our green industrial revolution.
“Our industry invests and creates quality jobs in coastal areas, and we are ambitious to do more, but we need the right policies and backing to unleash our full potential.”
The poll, commissioned by Maritime UK and produced by Survation, also revealed the majority (46%) of young people saw no evidence of investment, or improvement in living standards, in two years despite the government’s levelling-up agenda.
The survey also highlighted the impact of coronavirus across the coast with almost one third (31%) saying the pandemic had a negative impact on their career. Of those, more than one fifth (21%) were furloughed, 19 per cent said they had lost their jobs altogether and almost one quarter (24%) said their pay had been reduced.
These findings come after the Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, found English coastal towns have some of the country’s worst health, and urged for government investment in areas that included jobs and transport.
LGA Coastal SIG chair, Cllr Ernest Gibson, said:
“The UK coast has been a haven for millions this summer; but for the people living there it is a very different story. Our coastal communities have been amongst the hardest hit by the pandemic and without urgent intervention, they stand to fall even further behind.
Councils are doing their best to prevent this from happening, but we need government to recognise that the challenges at the coast are unique and that a specific coastal plan and taskforce are urgently required. Together with Maritime UK, we are keen to work with government to turn this Coastal Powerhouse vision into reality.”
The Coastal Powerhouse manifesto calls for investment in shore power, a proven technology enabling vessels to turn off their engines at berth in ports and providing the infrastructure to charge tomorrow’s electric vessels. While the vast majority of the world’s major economies have multiple, the UK does not yet have one in operation.
The manifesto underscores the opportunity of offshore energy growth, with coastal areas uniquely positioned to play a leading role in the UK’s net zero transition, from nearby yards building green servicing ships for these windfarms and those across the globe, and leading the way on future industries, such as floating wind turbines.
The policy paper also urges government to ensure the coast is a central part of infrastructure planning, to attract inward investment through reduced congestion. Rail freight and green coastal shipping are identified as significant growth areas which could decarbonize the supply chain and increase connectivity with the rest of the country.
To date, coastal regeneration funding has overwhelmingly focused on heritage, recreational and arts projects, rather than action required to generate higher wages and higher skilled jobs.
Most recently, only 4 of the 44 projects announced in the latest round of the Coastal Revival Fund in 2018-19 could be described as ‘business’.
Whereas industries like maritime, which has a long heritage across Britain’s coast, is still urging government for £1billion co-investment to kickstart a decarbonisation programme, similar to the support other major economies’ governments are providing to their domestic industries.
It’s been found that £1billion co-investment would create 73,000 maritime jobs. Industry roles pay £9,000 more than the national average per year, and for every £1 generated by the sector, a total £2.71 is generated across the UK economy.
The manifesto is being launched on day four of London International Shipping Week, which has seen global industry leaders converge on the city across more than 100 events, to chart the sector’s future as well promote Britain’s place as the world’s natural home for maritime.