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A new report looking at our coastal areas highlights the extent to which these communities are being left behind the rest of the UK. By virtually every measure of performance 鈥� transport, education, health, wages 鈥� the coast falls behind urban areas according to the report.

The report - for the Coastal Communities Alliance - describes a "low-pay coast" with one in five jobs paying below the living wage and household income almost 拢3,000 per year less than other areas. It was commissioned by coastal groups and councils who say the government needs to harness the extraordinary potential of the coast as a national asset, and invest heavily in renewable energy, and support high tech jobs and remote working.

The report found in coastal communities:

* A higher proportion of children live in work-less households.

* Disabled people are less likely to find work.

* There is a damaging 鈥渄igital divide鈥� with gigabit broadband and 4G provision lagging behind.

* A lower proportion of children achieve GCSE qualifications in maths and English

* Children are more likely to be persistently absent from school.

* People suffer poorer health outcomes, with higher rates of depression, suicide, alcohol-related hospital admissions, and emergency admissions for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

* There are fewer council houses, leading to a greater reliance on the private rented sector where housing costs are higher.

* The net flow of older people towards the coast is putting massive pressure on local councils.

The Isle of Wight Youth Trust say demand for their services are greater than ever 鈥� they received 7 referrals a day in the first few weeks of January from young people needing help with their mental health, compared to 3 per day in 2022. They say: "We know that mental health, education attainment and employment prospects are inextricably linked. Children and young people who face challenges with their mental health are less likely to achieve their potential in education and risk of failing to make the transition from school to employment if their mental health and well-being isn鈥檛 supported at an early enough stage."

A Spokesperson for the Department for Leveling Up, Housing and Communities said:
鈥淐oastal communities play a key role in leveling up and we continue to support them to improve their economies.
鈥淪ince 2012 we have invested over 拢229 million through the Coastal Communities Fund to run 359 projects throughout the UK鈥檚 rural and coastal communities helping to create jobs and boost businesses.鈥�

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