Guardian reports on youth challenges in 17 coastal England and Wales towns
11 reported2 unconfirmed
A Guardian series examining youth conditions in 17 coastal towns in England and Wales over the past year found young people facing isolation, limited opportunities, and poor mental health, according to the article. The series, titled Against the Tide, included workshops where young people created postcards of their towns and sent them to one another, with some displayed at Bristol’s Arnolfini gallery and others at Blackpool North train station for the next 10 years. Sixteen young people from eight coastal places in England gave evidence to MPs in the all-party parliamentary group for coastal communities, chaired by Labour MP Polly Billington. The article reports a 73% decline in funding for youth services in England over the past 12 years and nearly 1 million 16- to 24-year-olds not in work, education or training. Data released last year found nine out of 10 of the most deprived neighbourhoods in England were coastal, with seven in Blackpool, one in Hastings, and one in Tendring; the most deprived small area in Wales was in Rhyl. The article notes the government has committed to helping young adults not in work or education get work experience, though the first phase does not appear to cover coastal areas in England. A new national youth strategy was introduced for the first time in 15 years, and young futures hubs are being rolled out, with the initial rollout only including Brighton and Hove.
What’s reported
The Guardian series covered 17 coastal towns in England and Wales over one year.
Funding for youth services in England declined 73% over the past 12 years.
Nearly 1 million 16- to 24-year-olds are not in work, education or training (Neet).
Nine out of 10 of the most deprived neighbourhoods in England were coastal: seven in Blackpool, one in Hastings, one in Tendring.
The most deprived small area in Wales was in Rhyl.
Sixteen young people from eight coastal places gave evidence to the all-party parliamentary group for coastal communities, chaired by Labour MP Polly Billington.
The Coastal Navigators Network committed to establishing a Young People on the Coast Action Network.
The government introduced the first national youth strategy in 15 years.
Young futures hubs are being rolled out, initially only including Brighton and Hove.
In Fleetwood, a redesigned children and young people’s mental health support saw a 54% reduction in referrals to CAMHS and a similar reduction in children attending A&E.
Lord Kamlesh Patel of Bradford chairs the Coastal Navigators Network, set up after a 2021 report by then chief medical officer Chris Whitty.
Open questions
How many young futures hubs will be on the coast beyond Brighton and Hove.
Whether the government will establish a coastal communities minister at cabinet level or designate the coast as a special economic zone, as advocated by MP Polly Billington.
Key figures
Eleanor, 23, Morecambe, Lancashire (young person quoted)
Ben Cooper, author of a Fabian Society report four years ago
Polly Billington, Labour MP for East Thanet, chair of coastal parliamentary Labour party
Francesca, 18, Blackpool (young person quoted)
Courtney, 26, Felixstowe (young person who suggested an idea)
Annalise, 18, Whitehaven, Cumbria (young person quoted)
Archie, 23, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset (young person quoted)
Avril Keating, professor of youth studies at University College London’s Institute of Education
Tom, 16, Ramsgate, Kent (young person quoted)
Chris Whitty, former chief medical officer (2021 report)
Lord Kamlesh Patel of Bradford, chair of Coastal Navigators Network
Orson, 18, Blackpool (young person quoted)
Sources: The Guardian
