Maritime UK wants the Government to appoint a minister for Britain's coastlines

Maritime UK said the move would help the millions of people who live along the coast, many of whom have been hit hard in recent months.

A ministerial post would provide much-needed focus on revitalising coastal economies, said the umbrella body for the maritime sector.

On the first day of Seafarers Awareness Week, Maritime UK said a ministerial appointment would oversee expanded funding for projects that support economic development.

Before lockdown, there were predictions that maritime jobs were set to increase by 15 per cent until 2023, creating 30,000 new positions.

Maritime UK said there was cautious optimism that this growth is still achievable in the medium term.

Chairman Harry Theochari said: “A Minister for the Coastal Powerhouse would help turbo-charge the development of our coastal communities.

“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.

“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.”

However, Scarborough MP Robert Goodwill said that, while coastal communities are in need of support after being badly hit by the pandemic, he thinks a cross-department approach is better.

The Conservative said: “The solution for our coastal communities will cut across a number of departments.

“If you have a Minister for one department, you might encourage the other departments to put the issue on the back burner.”

He used the example of Whitby and Scarborough’s bids for a share of the Government’s £3.6bn Towns Fund, which it is hoped could bring in up to £25m for each town to help deliver economic growth.

While the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government would be involved, plans for a Whitby maritime college, which have been touted as part of the bid, would prospectively involve the Department for Education too, he said.

Mr Goodwill added: “The Prime Minister himself is well aware of the challenge [for coastal towns]. It isn’t just about shipping, it’s about tourism as well.”

The Government was approached for a comment on Maritime UK’s suggestion.