Fears coastal communities lag behind inland areas

UK coastal communities lag behind inland areas, with some of the worst economic and social deprivation in the country, a new report suggests.

Comparison of earnings, employment, health and education data in local authority areas identified “pockets of significant deprivation” in seaside towns and a widened gulf with the rest of the country.

Angus was among the 10 coastal areas with the most sluggish growth in Britain, according to the Social Market Foundation analysis. Its economy in terms of goods and services sales grew by 45.9% between 1997 and 2015, compared with the British average of 78.1%.

Kirstene Hair, Scottish Conservative MP for Angus, said the report “makes grim reading” for her constituency and requires UK, Scottish and local governments to work together to “grow and diversify the economy”.

“One way in which that can happen is through the Tay Cities Deal, which contains some good ideas but has been slow to get off the ground in comparison to other areas,” she said.

“We need to make sure that Montrose Port does not miss out on work in the oil and gas decommissioning and renewable energy sectors, while tourism is another area with the potential for significant growth.”

Mairi Gougeon, SNP MSP for Angus North and Mearns, said the Scottish Government is investing in Angus, whereas the Conservatives’ pursuit of a hard Brexit will be “extremely damaging” for the local economy.

“Investment in infrastructure such as the A90, supporting industries vital for local jobs including renewables and oil and gas, and national initiatives like the small business bonus will only serve to boost growth throughout Angus, as will the £44 million being invested by GSK in Montrose, as announced by the First Minister last month,” she added.

Scott Corfe, SMF’s chief economist and author of the report, said poor infrastructure was contributing to the growing disparity for seaside towns.

Kirstene Hair said the report makes grim reading for Angus.