East's coastal communities have fallen behind the rest of the country
Household income in coastal areas is almost £3,000 per year lower than in other communities
Coastal communities in the East and beyond have fallen behind the rest of the country, according to new research.
This was found by All-Party Parliamentary Group for Coastal Communities, who say household income in coastal areas is almost £3,000 per year lower than in other communities.
There are nearly 1 in 5 jobs being below the living wage in these areas - this is a greater proportion than for England overall.
Community leaders in coastal areas are calling for sustained, long-term investment to address these disparities.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group's arguing they could be turned around if Government suitably adjust their Levelling Up policy.
"Our beautiful coastline is an incredible national asset"
Sally-Ann Hart MP, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Coastal Communities, says:
“The additional challenges faced by people living on the coast are so entrenched that help is needed from central government to stop them falling further behind.
“Our beautiful coastline is an incredible national asset.
"But it urgently needs sustainable long-term investment to make the most of the opportunities for growth – particularly in green jobs which can support the government’s climate goals.”
The report has found that the East of England has the third highest regional average weekly pay, although parts of the region have some of the lowest earnings in the country.
The APPG for Coastal Communities are calling for:
-The right support would boost growth and see coastal areas contribute far more to the wider UK economy.
-Increases in home and hybrid working are an opportunity for coastal communities to attract more skilled and highly paid workers.
-Investment in offshore wind farms, wave and tidal power has the potential to create even more sustainable growth. Even though coastal areas already generate more renewable energy than the national average.
-Funding to aid year-round tourism would offer coastal communities the chance to benefit from huge growth in the UK’s visitor economy.