THE MP for St Austell and Newquay has joined a new group of Labour MPs representing coastal seats who are pushing the government to take strong action to support coastal communities.

Noah Law said he was joining the Labour Coastal Group to ensure the voice of coastal communities like St Austell and Newquay was being heard “loud and clear” in government.

The group is being chaired by MP Polly Billington, one of a large number of new Labour MPs that took coastal seats off the Conservatives at the 2024 general election.

Labour now has 66 MPs representing coastal parts of the country, including many in Cornwall, meaning the group will have a strong voice in Parliament when it comes to championing coastal towns.

Mr Law stated many coastal areas suffer from above average levels of deprivation and poorer health and educational attainment.

The group says the new government needs to prove it can turn struggling economies and the state of public services in these areas around.

They say the key to this is ensuring the government deliver on the commitments they have made to end the crisis in the NHS, fix public transport, tackle crime and antisocial behaviour, and deliver more money in people’s pockets.

The MPs have also expressed concern about the impact on coastal areas of plans that have been suggested by the Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, such as making people pay for health insurance to access the NHS.

The new group is holding regularly meetings with government ministers to raise issues of high concern to voters in their communities. In particular, the Labour Coastal Group are united in pushing hard for investment that will deliver well-managed public services and a stronger economy in the coastal towns they represent.

Mr Law said: "Cornwall is known across the world for its stunning beaches and vibrant tourism - but we've got an image problem - the beauty of Cornwall belies the fact that our community faces some of the highest levels of deprivation in the UK.

“For too long, local people have been held back by low wages, extortionate housing costs, and underfunded public services.

“We face particular challenges for our fishing communities and traditional tourism models which haven't been furnished with the basic conditions required to thrive and deliver prosperity for people all year round.

“That has to change. I am committed to pushing for greater government investment to ensure the people of St Austell and Newquay get the opportunities they deserve—better jobs, better services, and a thriving local economy that works for everyone."

Chair of the Labour Coastal Group, Ms Billington said: “Voters in seats like mine rejected the Conservatives last year because Labour promised renewal, after 14 years of Tory indifference to the unique challenges facing coastal towns.

“Now that we’re in government we’ve got to prove to people that we can deliver on key issues like the NHS, tackling crime, and building a stronger economy.

“That is why I am pleased to be chairing this new coastal grouping of Labour MPs, who will make sure that the voices of coastal areas across the country have their voices heard in government.”