Over 40 councils in coastal areas of the UK have asked for a £1bn “kick-start” from the government to help them recover from the impact of coronavirus.
Coordinated by Maritime UK, the letter was sent to the Chancellor on 7 October, and set out why the government should look to drive forward a maritime decarbonisation programme. According to the letter, by investing £1bn, the government would directly create 15,200 jobs along with a further 58,400 throughout the supply chain by developing zero emission ships, powered by hydrogen, ammonia or biofuels, and offshore wind farms.
It added that maritime decarbonisation is both essential to net zero and, by providing the right level of investment now, the UK can position itself as a world leader in a sector set to be worth $3tn by 2030.
The signatories, which include Councillor Sarah Bütikofer of North Norfolk District Council, called on the Chancellor to use the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review to map out a plan for supporting growth and creating jobs across the UK’s maritime industry, especially in the coastal communities. With coastal and ex-industrial towns most economically at risk from the COVID-19 pandemic, the letter noted the maritime sector is “uniquely positioned” to drive new growth opportunities as these regional economies recover.
