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Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund 2025-10-23
23 October 2025
Lead MP
Seamus Logan
Debate Type
Urgent Question
Tags
Northern IrelandScotland
Other Contributors: 17
At a Glance
Seamus Logan raised concerns about fishing and coastal growth fund 2025-10-23 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Will the Minister confirm that the Government will review the allocation of the fishing and coastal growth fund, which has been widely criticised as unfair to Scotland, particularly given its significant contribution to the UK's fishing industry?
Seamus Logan
SNP
Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
Question
Despite Scotland representing a significant portion of UK fishing capacity, it has received only 7.78% of the fund. The Scottish Government have been ignored again. Will the Minister look at this decision and recognise the crucial role that the fishing industry plays in our coastal communities?
Minister reply
The previous seafood support funds were reserved by central government for strategic use, leading to widespread complaints about devolution. We have now devolved this fund using the Barnett formula which ensures a 20% uplift for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Torcuil Crichton
Lab
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Question
How can we ensure that funding is aimed at new entrants to fishing communities facing challenges such as depopulation and crewing issues, rather than being funnelled to established quota barons?
Minister reply
We are co-designing the fund to support younger generations entering the industry. We will certainly look into creative suggestions like those made by my hon. Friend regarding quota allocation.
Neil Hudson
Con
Epping Forest
Question
How can we ensure that the funding is spent where it will have the greatest benefit for industry and coastal communities, considering the uneven distribution of fish caught in different parts of the UK?
Minister reply
The fund aims to modernise the fishing sector, support coastal regeneration and build resilience across the UK. We are co-designing the fund with local communities and the industry to ensure it is targeted effectively.
Barrow and Furness
Question
How will pride in place funding benefit coastal communities around the country?
Minister reply
Pride in place funding from MHCLG is a bottom-up approach to regeneration. Allocations are given by local boards with community membership, ensuring that funds are directed based on local needs and priorities.
Ben Maguire
LD
North Cornwall
Question
How will the Government use this fund to give greater powers and resources to coastal communities for managing fish stocks and improving water quality?
Minister reply
The fishing and coastal growth fund is not about improving water quality; it focuses on building resilience, modernising through high-tech support, access to training and entry into the industry. We must address different policy areas separately.
Orkney and Shetland
Question
The MP welcomes the Minister but expresses concern over the distribution of funds under the Barnett formula, noting that while Scotland's fishing industry contributes a significant portion to UK landings, it receives an inequitable share of the fund. He questions when the funding formula will be reviewed and clarified.
Minister reply
Dame Angela Eagle responded by stating that the Scottish Government is responsible for determining how to allocate their devolved portion of the fund and suggested they may also have additional funding available from the comprehensive spending review process.
Alison Hume
Lab
Scarborough and Whitby
Question
The MP warmly welcomes the investment in sustainable fishing and shellfish industries, asking for a timeline on engaging stakeholders such as training schools and hatcheries in developing this fund.
Minister reply
Dame Angela Eagle stated that they are committed to co-designing the fund with stakeholders and expressed willingness to discuss specific engagement processes with Alison Hume's constituency.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Question
The MP from Lincolnshire, reflecting on Grimsby’s history as a major fishing port, asks the Minister to use the fund effectively to help rebuild and modernize the industry in areas like Grimsby.
Minister reply
Dame Angela Eagle flattered the MP for his support and agreed to work with him and other Members to find ways to use the fund to revive fishing industries.
Jayne Kirkham
Lab/Co-op
Truro and Falmouth
Question
The MP welcomes the fund but asks that Dame Angela Eagle review a detailed proposal from the Cornish fishing fleet for front-loading investment, multi-year project funding, research, data collection, careers development, and infrastructure improvements.
Minister reply
Dame Angela Eagle expressed interest in reviewing local seafood production initiatives and encouraged all creative ideas to help revive the UK’s fishing industry.
Harriet Cross
Con
Gordon and Buchan
Question
The MP criticises the allocation of funding based on the Barnett formula, noting that despite Scotland's significant contribution to tonnage and value of UK fishing, it receives a disproportionately small share of the fund. She asks what will be done about this inequity.
Minister reply
Dame Angela Eagle explained that the use of the Barnett formula was in response to previous complaints regarding ringfencing at UK level and suggested that the Scottish Government can spend their extra uplift on supporting fishing communities.
Torbay
Question
The MP asks how local levels of deprivation will influence the allocation of funding for England, particularly in areas like Brixham which is part of Torbay’s deprived locality.
Minister reply
Dame Angela Eagle stated that part of the fund's use is to create a more resilient and vibrant fishing industry with social resilience as an important aspect.
James Wild
Con
North West Norfolk
Question
The MP asks about the timeline for implementing the new sanitary and phytosanitary agreement to reduce red tape for UK seafood exporters and businesses.
Minister reply
Dame Angela Eagle mentioned that they await the EU mandate expected by November end, after which they aim to expedite the SPS deal.
Ann Davies
PC
Caerfyrddin
Question
The MP raises concerns about funding based on the Barnett formula for Wales where over 90% of fishing boats are small, under-10 metre vessels, and highlights recent economic decline in Welsh fishing income. She suggests a need for more equitable distribution.
Minister reply
Dame Angela Eagle acknowledged the importance of supporting all UK fisheries and stated that £18 million of the fund directly goes to Wales.
North East Fife
Question
The MP queries about guarantees for 12-year plan duration and the adequacy of allocated funds in supporting local fleets facing challenges such as spatial mass and recruitment.
Minister reply
Dame Angela Eagle stated that while no Parliament can bind its successor, it is not usual to cut such funds midway through a term.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
The MP welcomes the fund but expresses concern over whether Northern Ireland's £10 million allocation will be sufficient and ringfenced for direct use by fishing fleets.
Minister reply
Dame Angela Eagle clarified that once funds are devolved, they cannot be ringfenced in any devolved administrations.
Seamus Logan
SNP
Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
Question
The formula for distributing fishing quotas has been deemed fundamentally unfair by many, causing significant distress to fishing communities. Can the Minister clarify whether any interventions were made by the Secretary of State for Scotland to request a reversal of this decision?
Minister reply
Following Brexit, the UK received an uplift in its fishing quota with 65% going to Scotland, valued at £107 million based on current figures. This suggests that Scotland has secured a reasonable deal under these circumstances.
Government Response
We are working closely with our fishing and seafood sectors to ensure they remain vibrant, profitable and sustainable. The Government announced a £360 million investment on May 19th as part of the fishing and coastal growth fund, aimed at supporting future generations of fishers and revitalising coastal communities. We have devolved the fund's allocation to each devolved government using the Barnett formula, which provides a 20% uplift for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The Scottish Government received an additional £8.5 billion through the comprehensive spending review in 2025 that they can allocate as needed.
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