Social Justice

Poverty in coastal communities getting worse, study finds

Think tank finds growing inequality between seaside towns and inland areas across the UK

Urban housing problems, inequality and crime in some of Britain’s biggest cities tend to gain a fair amount of press and attention from policy-makers.

But often-forgotten seaside towns are home to some of the very poorest communities in the UK, a new report has revealed.

Research by the Social Market Foundation (SMF) has found a growing economic gap between communities on the coast and the rest of the country.

The experts at the think tank identified “pockets of significant deprivation” in desperate need of investment and fresh opportunities.

Of the country’s 98 coastal council areas, 85% of them showed people earning below the national average, with wages in coastal areas around £3,600 a year lower than the national average.

Five of the top 10 council areas with the worst rates of unemployment – Hartlepool, North Ayrshire, Torridge, Hastings, South Tyneside and Sunderland – were found on the coast.

Likewise, five of the top 10 council areas for low pay – Torbay, North Devon, Gwynedd, Hastings and Torridge – were coastal.

Health outcomes and qualification levels among young people also showed seaside towns lagging behind inland areas.

The government needs to do more to track – and address – economic problems in our coastal towns

“Many coastal communities are poorly connected to major employment centres in the UK, which compounds the difficulties faced by residents in these areas,” Scott Corfe, chief economist at the SMF.

“Not only do they lack local job opportunities, but travelling elsewhere for work is also relatively difficult,” added Corfe.

“The government needs to do more to track – and address – economic problems in our coastal towns.”

The government today announced that it would provide £40 million for the Coastal Communities Fund.

Preferring to emphasis the positives in tourist-orientated towns and seaside resorts, the Coastal Communities Minister Jake Berry said the latest round of funding “will help attract even more visitors to the great British coast so that our coastal communities can thrive.”

Join The Ride Out Recession Alliance

The Ride Out Recession Alliance (RORA) will develop and implement practical steps and solutions to prevent families losing their homes, and help people remain in employment.

Learn More

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

View all
I started doing crime by age 6. I didn't know any other life – all my birthdays were in prison
Crime

I started doing crime by age 6. I didn't know any other life – all my birthdays were in prison

Will free school meals and vouchers be offered over the Easter holidays?
Free school meals/ Easter holidays
Free school meals

Will free school meals and vouchers be offered over the Easter holidays?

Council tax is going up for millions in April. Here's what to do if you're struggling to pay
council tax/ houses
Cost of living crisis

Council tax is going up for millions in April. Here's what to do if you're struggling to pay

Water bills are going up in April 2024. Here's what to do if you're struggling to pay
Cost of living crisis

Water bills are going up in April 2024. Here's what to do if you're struggling to pay

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know