Build Back Better - Regional Growth


The discussion focuses on how the maritime industries can play a key role in growing investment, jobs and prosperity in coastal communities.

Maritime UK has welcomed the government's mission to "level up", as set out within its white paper, but argues that government should put levelling-up coastal areas at the heart of its plans. 

Coastal towns and cities are amongst some of the most deprived communities across the country, with almost half of its coastal communities’ young being driven away from their hometowns through lack of jobs.

For levelling-up to mean something, it must respond to this challenge and recognise the unique challenges the coast faces.

But for too long, the government has been held back by an outdated approach towards the coast. In its most recent coastal regeneration fund, only 4 out of 44 of the projects funded could be described as industrial, with the lion’s share going to cultural and restoration projects.

Preserving the beauty and tourism of the UK's coast is vital. But it must be matched with the investment that’s needed to spur high wage and high skilled jobs in these areas.

There is nothing inevitable about coastal decline. These areas are Britain’s gateway to the world and can have a high tech, high skilled future as the engine room of our green industrial revolution.

Maritime is a source of well-paid highly-skilled roles, which pay £9,000 more than the national average. The average maritime job is 42% more productive than the UK average and growing maritime makes good economic sense - for every £1 generated by the sector, a total £2.71 is generated across the UK economy.

Already investing and creating quality jobs in coastal areas, the maritime industries are ambitious to do more, but need the right policies and backing to unleash their full potential.

Maritime UK's Coastal Powerhouse Manifesto sets out how the UK can grow the maritime sector in coastal economies and realise the mission set out within the white paper.

This webinar will explore the white paper and discuss how the maritime sector can work with the government to make the white paper a reality. 

The panel includes:

Maritime UK is grateful to the UK Major Ports Group for sponsoring the webinar.