Neil Duncan-Jordan (Poole) (Lab)
I rise to present a petition signed by hundreds of my constituents, which calls for urgent action to ease the cost of living pressures that many families face and for greater support for the many local businesses that make Poole the place it is. Ahead of the Budget, I shared these proposals directly with the Chancellor, because I believe we need to recognise the distinct challenges facing coastal areas.
The petitioners therefore request
“that the House of Commons urges the Government to implement a strategy for coastal communities that supports affordable housing, coastal economies, lower household energy costs, cleaner waterways and stronger representation for coastal communities within Government.”
Following is the full text of the petition:
[The petition of residents of the United Kingdom,
Declares that a budget for coastal communities would address their unique challenges, boost living standards, and support local economies; recognises that in Poole, above average housing costs collide with low wages while seasonal work leaves services stretched in summer and workers and businesses struggling through the winter; that families need immediate action to control rents and a long-term plan to deliver affordable housing, alongside supporting small businesses with a funded strategy for domestic tourism; that action is needed to cushion rising energy costs caused by Trump’s war with Iran together with sustained investment in renewables; that public ownership of failing water firms is essential cleaning up the water that defines coastal areas; and that a dedicated Minister for Coastal Communities should be appointed to coordinate this plan.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to implement a strategy for coastal communities that supports affordable housing, coastal economies, lower household energy costs, cleaner waterways and stronger representation for coastal communities within Government.
And the petitioners remain, etc.]
[P003254]