To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what financial and other support he plans to provide to Maritime UK’s regional cluster development programme to enable coastal towns and cities to capitalise on global maritime sector growth opportunities.

It is our belief that no other country globally can currently match the UK’s strengths in its maritime clusters. The Government recognises the significant role that clusters have in the regional and national economy, and also our international competitiveness. Therefore, in our ground-breaking Maritime 2050 strategy, we committed to promoting and enhancing our clusters in London and across the country, in places like Southampton, Liverpool, the Tyne, and across Scotland.

We are working closely with Maritime UK, including its Regional Council, as we look to support the sector’s future recovery from the global COVID-19 pandemic. We are working to identify where existing Maritime 2050 recommendations should be prioritised and the case for new ones where needed. Working together we can identify how best to continue to support the development and growth of our maritime clusters and the important role they play in our coastal communities and regions. The Department intends to publish a route-map setting out our post-Covid-19 plan later in the year.