Coastal Towns: the Government's
Second Response
1. Our report on Coastal Towns was published in March
2007.[1] In it we concluded
that many coastal towns share common characteristics including
their physical isolation, deprivation levels, the inward migration
of older people, the high levels of transience, the outward migration
of young people, poor quality housing and the nature of the coastal
economy. We recognised that none of these characteristics were
unique to coastal towns, but, the combination of these characteristics—together
with the environmental challenges that these communities face—led
us to the conclusion that they face significant and specific challenges
that warrant Government action.
2. The Government published its initial response,
in the form of a command paper, on 18 May 2007.[2]
On examination we were dissatisfied with the Government's initial
response in particular because it failed to recognise the necessity
for specific measures to support coastal communities. Our dissatisfaction
was shared by other Members of Parliament and organisations. For
instance, Members of Parliament expressed their displeasure during
a Westminster Hall debate in June 2007.[3]
Organisations such as the British Resorts and Destinations Association
(BRADA) were likewise displeased. Peter Hampson, Director of BRADA,
wrote to us to convey this. His letter, received on 20 June 2007,
is published as Appendix 1.
3. Our Chair, Dr Phyllis Starkey, wrote to Rt Hon.
Hazel Blears, then newly appointed as Secretary of State for Communities
and Local Government, on 19 July 2007 outlining our concerns and
requesting a further, more considered, response from Government.
This letter is published as Appendix 2. The Government's further
response, in the form of a memorandum, was received on 26 October
2007. This is published as Appendix 3.
4. We are pleased that the Government has reconsidered
its original response and has now accepted a number of our recommendations.
In particular, we are pleased that the Government has accepted
the need for further research on the challenges facing coastal
communities, including the disproportionately high rise in the
number of people claiming sickness and disability benefit in coastal
towns in comparison to the average across Great Britain.[4]
We also welcome the Government's intention to establish a cross-departmental
working group on issues affecting coastal towns and its commitment
to establish a coastal areas network supported by Government and
the Regional Development Agencies.
5. The Government has committed itself to providing
further information on seasonal employment in coastal areas. We
look forward to receiving this information and to subsequent updates
on the Government's progress in tackling the challenges faced
by coastal communities.
1 Communities and Local Government Committee, Second
Report of Session 2006-07, Coastal Towns, HC 351; www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmcomloc/351/351.pdf Back
2
Department for Communities and Local Government Committee, Government
Response to the Communities and Local Government Committee Report
on Coastal Towns, May 2007, Cm 7126; www.officialdocuments.gov.uk/document/cm71/7126/7126.pdf Back
3
HC Deb, 7 June 2007, col 141-188WH [Westminster Hall] Back
4
Government figures show that since 1997 there has been a 12.3
per cent increase in the number of people claiming incapacity
benefit, special disability allowance or income support for disability
in coastal towns, in comparison to a 2.2 per cent increase across
Great Britain. See Communities and Local Government Committee,
Second Report of Session 2006-07, Coastal Towns, HC 351;
www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmcomloc/351/351.pdf,
para 49 Back
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