Coastal Communities: Isolation and Hidden Deprivation

Coastal communities like Scarborough and Whitby have high levels of domestic abuse with victims isolated and hidden. In 2025, the Independent Domestic Abuse Services in North Yorkshire received over 20,000 referrals compared to 18,000 in 2022.

Mr. MacDonald highlighted the issue of isolation and hidden deprivation in remote Scotland, noting that EU funding for rural areas was crucial but has been significantly reduced post-Brexit. He pointed out disparities such as £9.4 million from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund compared to €1.2 billion from EU structural funds over a longer period. Mr. MacDonald also addressed centralisation of services and infrastructure, higher cost of living in rural areas, lack of community benefits from renewable energy projects, declining school enrolment, and increasing elderly population without adequate care facilities. Expressed concern over the lack of transparency in the distribution of Pride in Place funds based on unavailable data.

South East Cornwall faces low wages, insecure work, affordable housing shortages, poor transport links, digital connectivity issues, and challenges accessing healthcare. Tolled crossings add additional costs for constituents. There is a high level of second homes and holiday lets impacting the local housing market.

Asked about the impact of guaranteed hours legislation on seasonal workers, highlighting concerns over employment deterrence during off-peak seasons.

Blackpool faces significant deprivation affecting health and wellbeing, with adults in the most deprived communities nearly three times more likely to report feeling lonely than those in least deprived areas. Loneliness is linked to chronic illness, particularly for people living with disabilities or long-term health conditions.

Ilfracombe faces challenges due to its remote location and needs targeted funding like the re-invention of the coastal communities fund. Ilfracombe has award-winning manufacturing businesses, promising housing schemes, and is shortlisted for UK town of culture awards.

Cornwall, a rural peninsula with sea on three sides, faces significant challenges due to poor infrastructure and high housing costs. The abolition of the education maintenance allowance left students across Cornwall struggling to access further education without financial support.

Jessica Brown-Fuller highlighted the hidden deprivation within her affluent Chichester constituency, where coastal communities often face isolation and lack of support. She pointed to Selsey as an example, noting that while its population doubles during summer due to holidaymakers, it receives no additional resources for policing or healthcare.

Addressed the social isolation and deprivation faced by residents of Strangford's Ards Peninsula. Highlighted statistics from Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency showing that villages on the peninsula rank among the worst in terms of geographic access to services, with 20% of the population aged 65 or over living in social isolation due to limited public transport and closed bank branches.

He congratulated the hon. Member for securing a debate on coastal community issues, highlighting the impact of ferry prices and their effect on the local economy.

Isolation and loneliness are significant issues in remote coastal areas such as Dumfries and Galloway. The Scottish household survey indicates one in four people suffer from loneliness, with 16 to 24-year-olds and over-75s disproportionately affected. Community resilience is vital, but no government can do everything alone.

Globalisation robbed communities of the freedom to earn a secure wage and build a career, taking away social, cultural, and personal freedoms. Education must be the engine room of freedom, with Hartlepool's FE college partnering with X-energy and Centrica to ensure young people have that freedom.

Kieran Mullan thanked local organisations doing vital work in tackling isolation and deprivation, such as Heart of Sidley and The Pelham. He also mentioned the challenges posed by business rates and the jobs tax but expressed optimism about the £20 million town deal funding awarded to Bexhill. Asked the Minister to reconsider the funding formula that creates hierarchies, inefficiencies, and unfairness impacting coastal communities.

Discussed the challenges faced by coastal communities, including poor transport links, unemployment, housing shortages, and disparities in income. Criticised Labour's policies for worsening these issues through increased taxes and regulations.

Coastal towns face disparities in employment, life expectancy and social interaction. In Morecambe and Lunesdale, 10.2% of people say they are always lonely, leading to health impacts. Social infrastructure such as parks, libraries and youth clubs is crucial for overcoming barriers like poverty. The influx of short-term lets via Airbnb can affect social cohesion and residential housing stability.

Coastal communities such as Blackpool and Fleetwood face deep poverty, poor health, lower educational attainment, insecure work, and poor-quality housing. The decline is due to political choices, not inevitability, and requires investment in industries that once sustained reliable working communities.

The hon. Member stressed that coastal ports are critical for regeneration and economic health but highlighted severe transport connectivity issues. He called for a direct rail link from Grimsby and Cleethorpes to London King's Cross, noting the benefits this has brought to Hull Trains, and urged Great British Railways to consider such improvements on the south bank of the Humber.

Neil Duncan-Jordan addressed the perception issue in his constituency of Poole, where high property prices hide underlying poverty. He mentioned that one in four children lives in relative poverty after housing costs and called for a Minister for coastal communities to address these issues.

The loss of local community facilities such as libraries, youth clubs, post offices, Sure Start centres, village halls, and pubs contributes to social isolation and may correlate with an increased tendency towards voting for the radical right.

The hon. Member highlighted the hidden deprivation in his constituency, noting that Cornwall is the 11th least funded local authority for SEND and receives significantly less per pupil funding than other areas such as Kensington and Chelsea. He emphasised that Treasury models often misrepresent the true level of poverty by considering overall regional figures.

West Somerset suffers from the lowest social mobility in the country, with travel times to employment being among the poorest. Young people have to catch a bus at 6 am for a two-hour journey each way just to attend further education courses. Education and employment opportunities are limited, leading to isolation and poverty of aspiration. Devolution could mean meaningful evolution towards prosperity and opportunity. Called for better recognition of rurality and remoteness in local government funding to improve outcomes for her constituency.

In Methil and Buckhaven, there are derelict buildings, families affected by substance misuse, and homes hard to heat. Levenmouth has the lowest employment rate in Fife and the highest economic inactivity rate. The community will receive £20 million in Pride in Place funding over 10 years.

The South-West Social Mobility Commission report highlights that despite strong employment figures, the south-west region is one of the weakest in England for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds achieving expected standards in education and qualifications by age 19.

She mentioned the importance of naval clubs in supporting older and vulnerable populations and expressed concern over a planned closure of such a club in her constituency, stressing its role in addressing health inequalities and isolation.

Asked about the Government's plans to introduce additional charges for purchasing an electric vehicle, questioning if this policy is paradoxical when trying to encourage environmental friendliness in rural areas. The hon. Member intervened to highlight similar issues in his constituency where towns lack rail connectivity, drawing parallels with the situation described in Cornwall.