Published 21st Jul 2023, 06:00 BST

The follow-up report by The House of Lords found that areas on the coast still face a “persistent sense of disconnection” and that progress to solve this has been “too slow for too long”.

Though Peers praised the Government’s focus on some coastal areas as part of its “deep dive” levelling up partnerships announced earlier this year, it warned that the whole levelling up project should not be a “missed opportunity” to address the issues in these communities.

The report called for coastal communities to be made a specific ministerial portfolio in Michael Gove’s department, in addition to a dedicated strategy as to how ministers will solve the long-standing problems in towns and villages across the country’s coastline.

East Yorkshire towns are amongst those yet to feel the benefit of a devolution deal, with Peers warning that they need to be prioritised.

It noted that a cross-departmental strategy is needed because across transport, education, health and digital connectivity there has been “little progress” and that seaside towns have more in common with each other than non-coastal areas.

Lord Bassam of Brighton, former Chair of the Select Committee on Regenerating Seaside Towns and Communities, said: “Four years on from our original report we have seen little progress in seaside towns and communities and their endemic problems continue to persist.

“The Government's Levelling up agenda wasn’t really a ‘thing’ when we carried out our inquiry, but the aspiration to target areas in the most need aligns with many of the conclusions and recommendations in our 2019 report to support seaside towns and communities.

“What these communities need now is urgent action to address the combination of deeply entrenched issues they face.

“This demands a long-term strategy from the Government. Not a succession of short-term initiatives. It must find a way to provide the support needed for effective regeneration and to address systemic challenges.”

Research last year suggested that Labour is overtaking the Conservatives in “Sea Wall” coastal communities where the Conservatives had a 22-point lead at the last general election.

The analysis by the Fabian Society and YouGov of 108 coastal town constituencies in December found that Labour had an estimated 6-point lead.

In a warning to newly established combined authorities and their mayors, Peers warned that coastal communities must not be “left on the edge” of devolved administrations.

“The Committee welcomes steps to grant greater powers to local areas to enable greater place-based decision making,” it said.

While North, South and West Yorkshire have all agreed mayoral deals with the Government, the East of the county and North Lincolnshire are yet to formally agree a deal with ministers on how the area will go forward towards a devolved administration.

The leaders of Hull and East Riding councils last month agreed to hold devolution talks with the Government over the prospect of a mayoral-led devolution deal.

Previously local parties had preferred a “level two” devolution deal which would have no mayor and come with less in way of funding and powers.

Minister needed to champion seaside towns in Government, Peers warn