Young people in coastal communities across England and Wales describe feeling isolated, overlooked and unfairly blamed for problems rooted in long-term deprivation and cuts to public services.

– Youth-service funding in England has fallen by 73% over 12 years, while nearly 1 million 16- to 24-year-olds are not in work, education or training.
– Reporting from 17 coastal towns found that young people often face poor housing, weak transport links, limited education and employment prospects, and reduced local services.
– Nine of England’s 10 most deprived neighbourhoods were coastal in recent data, including seven in Blackpool; Rhyl was Wales’s most deprived small area.
– Young residents and campaigners say coastal communities are disconnected from decision-making and want politicians to engage meaningfully with them.
– The Guardian’s year-long Against the Tide project aims to centre young people’s voices, showcase positive local initiatives and scrutinise policies that reduced support.