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Coastal and Rural Communities: Employment
01 February 2024
Lead MP
Virginia Crosbie
Responding Minister
Paul Maynard
Tags
HousingEmploymentTransportCulture, Media & SportEnergyBenefits & WelfareAgriculture & Rural Affairs
Word Count: 6956
Other Contributors: 5
At a Glance
Virginia Crosbie raised concerns about coastal and rural communities: employment in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
I ask the government to work with me to ensure employers who want to move to Ynys Môn receive every possible form of support to do so. This includes addressing infrastructure issues and ensuring that new employers will prioritise hiring local residents.
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
I am concerned about the significant job losses in my constituency, particularly due to large employers closing down. Between 2009 and 2018, 50% of coastal towns had a decline in employment compared with 37% of non-coastal towns. The tourism sector is currently the largest employer but offers seasonal and low-paid jobs. In addition, there are issues related to fuel poverty, high living costs, and an ageing population that leaves behind economically inactive individuals. There is also a problem with holiday homes pushing up house prices, making them unaffordable for local people.
David Jones
Con
Clwyd West
I discussed the impact of the Welsh Labour Government's decisions on employment in my constituency, highlighting issues such as increased business rates and the 20 mph blanket speed limit that has impacted public transport timetables.
Greg Knight
Con
Bridlington
Greg Knight congratulated the hon. Friend for securing the debate and highlighted a dual employment issue in coastal towns: lack of job opportunities in some areas, while other areas have unfilled NHS dentist vacancies.
Peter Aldous
Con
Waveney
Mr Aldous highlighted the potential for job creation in coastal areas such as Lowestoft, noting its unique position as a town with both tourist and industrial activities. He discussed the challenges of high deprivation levels, seasonal jobs, and poor connectivity but also emphasized opportunities in low-carbon energy. He outlined seedcorn investment projects like the Gull Wing bridge and improvements to rail services, alongside private sector investments such as ScottishPower Renewables and Associated British Ports facilities. Mr Aldous suggested more strategic oversight was needed for initiatives like enterprise zones and coastal community funds to maximise their impact.
Steven Bonnar
SNP
Glasgow North West
Mr. Bonnar highlighted the depopulation crisis in Scotland's rural and coastal communities, noting a decline of over 6% projected for the Western Isles by 2028. He cited the impact of Brexit on agriculture and fisheries, mentioning losses of 3.5 million heads of broccoli and 1.5 million heads of cauliflower due to labour shortages.
Vicky Foxcroft
Lab
Lewisham North
Ms Foxcroft highlighted the challenges faced by coastal and rural communities, including economic inactivity, high levels of deprivation, poor transport links, and lack of digital infrastructure. She emphasized the need for cross-departmental working to address these issues and noted that Labour would focus on improving employment opportunities and affordable housing.
Government Response
Paul Maynard
Government Response
The Department for Work and Pensions offers a national programme of welfare and employment support through its Jobcentre Plus network. The Government has introduced the in-work progression offer to give claimants additional access to work coaches focused on removing barriers to progression. Additional work coach time is provided for eligible 50-plus jobseekers on Universal Credit during their first nine months of claims. Dedicated 50PLUS champions support and upskill work coaches, engaging with employer-facing staff to develop opportunities for those aged 50-plus. The Government also offers flexible travel support through Jobcentre Plus travel discount card, covering train journeys and bus operators for discounts. Flexible support fund covers initial three months' travel costs for claimants starting work and can be used for pedal or electric bikes where public transport is limited. The Access to Work grant helps customers with disabilities get to and from work. Local jobcentres collaborate with DFT and local transport authorities to develop local bus service improvement plans informed by employment opportunities limited by transport barriers. Sector-based work academy programmes offer training, work experience, and guaranteed interviews for genuine vacancies. Dedicated funding under coastal communities fund and the coastal revival fund has provided around £1 billion through levelling-up fund to projects in coastal areas.
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Assessment & feedback
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.