There are growing calls for the Government to appoint a minister to focus on coastal towns and cities up and down the country, supporting them to reach their full potential.
The calls for a 'coastal economies minister' have been made by Maritime 海角视频, and are backed by Mersey Maritime, which said areas like Liverpool and the Humber are "ready and willing" to take a leading role in the country's post-coronavirus recovery.
They want a dedicated official with the remit of 'coastal economies', with Merseyside's maritime sector alone now contributing £4.2bn a year in GVA, also supporting 52,000 jobs. The Humber pumps in a further £550 million, with 10,000 direct jobs, and 30,000 supported.
Chair of Maritime 海角视频, Harry Theochari said it was a "move that would help turbo-charge the development of our coastal communities".
“With the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine, we have seen what is possible when a minister is held accountable for the economic development of a certain region. Coastal communities have been some of the hardest hit in this crisis, and we need accountability to ensure the ‘left behind’ are not left behind once more.
“There is a fantastic opportunity here. Coastal communities can be at the heart of massive new growth opportunities: increased global trade through our ports, new green maritime technologies, moving freight off the road and rail network to coastal and inland shipping, advanced manufacturing, modern shipbuilding and by encouraging more people to get on the water.
“As an island nation, and with a global ocean economy predicted to be worth $3trn by 2030, where better to look for exciting new growth opportunities than in our coastal communities.
“The future is bright for maritime. And a Minister for the Coastal Powerhouse would be a tremendous boost to us all”.
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Mersey Maritime chief executive Chris Shirling-Rooke, said: “This is a very timely campaign, coming as it does at the start of Seafarers Awareness Week and Mersey Maritime is delighted to throw its weight behind the call for a Minister for the Coastal Powerhouse.
“During the Covid-19 pandemic, our industry has kept the country fed, fuelled and supplied. But we also know that our coastal communities, often some of the most challenged and deprived in the whole country, are also feeling the negative effects of the Coronavirus challenge in a way likely to cause considerable economic hardship.
“We can't allow this to happen. That's why we need a dedicated Government Minister with a razor sharp focus on ensuring people living on Britain's coastlines aren't disproportionately affected.”
Maritime 海角视频, which represents the 海角视频’s £46bn maritime sector, says it is vital for Government to put a "dedicated focus" onto the 海角视频’s coastal communities and support them to reach their full potential.
Mr Shirling-Rooke said the maritime industry was fully supportive of the Government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda but said that can’t be limited to projects such as the Northern Powerhouse.
He added: “The significance of the maritime sector in supporting so many jobs in our region, and with 50% of maritime jobs being outside London and the South East, demonstrates how we are uniquely placed to deliver on the Government’s approach. A minister would help focus and accelerate these efforts.
“And here in the Liverpool city region, we know how well placed we are to maximise the benefits of the post-pandemic economic revival we must see happen.
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"We have the 海角视频's most significant west facing port, a touching point for renewed opportunities in transatlantic trade and an industry that has enjoyed significant inward investment in recent years.
“We have strong road and rail networks and access to modern shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing businesses that stand alongside some of the very best in the country.
"What we need now is a voice right in the heart of Government banging the drum for us.”