New Forest MP backs calls for more Government support for coastal communities
Desmond Swayne's one of 13 MPs signing a letter for the new PM
Conservative MPs, including one from the New Forest, are calling on the new prime minister to help declining coastal communities.
A group of 13, with Fordingbridge's Desmond Swayne among them, have written to Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.
They claim seaside towns face losing half their young people due to a lack of jobs and want to see more investment.
Within the letter, they've said:
"There are serious challenges facing the country - and whilst the UK coastline continues to attract millions of visitors this summer, for the people living there it can be a very different story.
"Our coastal communities have been amongst the hardest hit by the pandemic and will be hit further by the rising cost of living. Without urgent intervention they stand to fall even further behind."
The letter's been organised by the Maritime UK group, which represents maritime industries, and last year published a manifesto proposing ways to boost the coastal economy.
Chief executive Ben Murray said:
"The contest deciding Britain's next prime minister is in its final days, but we have yet to see a clear plan for growth in our coastal communities from either candidate.
"Not for the first time, the people living in these communities could be forgiven for feeling forgotten.
"We have a real opportunity to put coastal areas at the heart of Britain's green growth. But this will require an economic plan that treats these areas as places of business and trade, not just bucket and spade."