Asked by: Lord Mountevans (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what financial support they are providing to the UK’s coastal communities.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
As an island nation, the Government is committed to supporting coastal communities and levelling-up across the Union. We are working with local leaders to ensure every coastal region, city and town will recover from Covid-19 and ultimately level-up.
We have continued to make significant progress in supporting coastal communities in a number of areas, demonstrated by the Coastal Communities Fund now having supported 359 projects, totalling over £229 million since 2012. This has funded ambitious schemes such as 'Waters of the Wash' in Kings Lynn, transforming a Norfolk harbour town into a unique sailing destination complete with a new pontoon and swing mooring.
Our coastal economies and communities add unique value to the country and offer significant growth potential. Our commitment to unlocking this growth was demonstrated at Budget 2021, where the Chancellor announced 8 Freeports in 8 regions of England, 7 of them in coastal areas. Freeports will be national hubs for international trade, innovation and commerce, regenerating communities across the UK; attracting new businesses, spreading jobs, investment and opportunity to towns and cities across the country including in coastal areas.
Our £106 million Welcome Back Fund is helping local councils to bounce back from the Covid-19 pandemic by reinvigorating their local communities and supporting local economies. Funding has been allocated to all local authorities in England with additional assistance of up to £100,000 for coastal authorities. This helped our seaside resorts fully capitalise on a rise in domestic tourism over the spring and summer months.