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<p>The Strategy was issued by the last Government and called on third parties to do
something about the challenges facing coastal towns. In contrast to this top-down
strategy which relied on distant and unaccountable regional government to facilitate
ideas, we have focused on empowering local communities.</p><p> </p><p>This Government
recognises the economic and social challenges faced by coastal and seaside communities
and is committed to making them better places to live, work and visit. That is why
we set up the Coastal Communities Fund. This has provided £62 million in grants to
114 projects across UK, levering in £96 million of other funding and delivering over
8,600 jobs, 3,300 training places and over 400 new business start-ups.</p><p> </p><p>We
have given communities the means to take control and act in the best interests of
their local area through a wide toolkit of powers, options and incentives to help
drive growth and jobs. As part of the Growth Deals announced in July we have committed
over £500 million to projects put forward by Local Enterprise Partnerships to improve
economic competitiveness in coastal areas and, also in July, the Parliamentary Under
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Penny Mordaunt) was appointed
Minister for Coastal Communities, to help them realise their potential and build a
sustainable future for themselves.</p>
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