Fylde MP Mark Menzies has called for the appointment of a coastal communities minister, to look after the distinct needs of coastal areas.
Mr Menzies joined fellow MPs on the All Party Parliamentary Group on Hospitality and Tourism to ask Government for a minister to represent coastal towns and villages.
He co-signed a letter to Government which states: “We have been holding evidence sessions focusing on the structural challenges that face coastal and lakeside communities in the UK and hearing from hospitality and tourism businesses as they seek to recover from the impact of Covid-19. While the reporting of the inquiry and its recommendations will not be completed until September, we would like to endorse the appointment of a Minister for Coastal Communities, a proposal that received unanimous agreement during the APPG’s sessions.
“The timing for such an appointment is crucial; coastal tourism is highly seasonal, and its wider ecosystem depends on having significant numbers of people visiting. Covid-19 has already halved the peak season that many businesses rely upon to see them through quieter winter months. Local businesses such as pubs, restaurants, visitor attractions, shops, gardens and many other businesses depend on domestic and inbound tourism to stay afloat. These communities require representation in the heart of Government and the introduction of a Coastal Communities Minister, with a remit that cuts cut across all the relevant departments, would provide this.”
While many socioeconomic disparities in the UK have been classified as ‘north-south’, this description fails to take into account the UK’s coastal regions, many of which contain the most deprived communities in the UK.
These areas have been hit harder by Covid-19 than other areas of the UK given their reliance on the tourism economy and seasonal work.
Mr Menzies said: “It is vital we have ministerial-level representation for our coastal communities. The minister’s remit would cut across all relevant departments and take a lead on delivering the Government’s levelling up agenda for our coastal communities.
“They would be a further voice pressing for the likes of improvements to the South Fylde railway line, which I and Blackpool South MP Scott Benton have lodged a Restoring Railways bid for.
“We must have better representation and a coastal communities minister is an ideal way for us to make sure our needs and requirements are heard in Government.”