Economic Development - UK Flashcards
Name 3 key causes of economic change in the UK
- De-industrialisation and decline of UK’s industrial base
- Globalisation
- Government policies
Explain how de-industrialisation and decline of UK’s industrial base has caused the economy to change
- Fewer jobs available in manufacturing & heavy industries (e.g. coal mining + steel production)
- Once were primary source of employment and income for UK
Explain how globalisation has caused the UK’s economy to change
- Lot of manufacturing moved overseas, where labour costs are lower
- Trade with other countries = increasingly important part of UK’s GDP
Explain how government policies have caused the UK’s economy to change
- Government decisions on investment in new infrastructure & technology + growth for businesses (e.g. tax breaks) affect of economy grows
- Membership in government groups e.g. World Trade Organisation
- = easier for companies in UK to operate across the world
- Membership in government groups e.g. World Trade Organisation
What is happening to tertiary and quaternary industries in the UK?
They’re growing
What is happening to secondary manufacturing in the UK?
It’s declining
Give evidence to support that tertiary and quaternary industries are growing in the UK
In 2011: Employed 81% of UK’s workforce & proportion is increasing
Name 4 important industries in the UK
- Services
- Information technology
- Finance
- Research
Why is services an important industry in the UK?
- Retail = UK’s largest sector
- Employs 4.4 million people
Why is information technology an important industry in the UK?
60,000+ employed in IT sector by companies like Microsoft and IBM
Why is finance an important industry in the UK?
- UK, especially City of London, = home to many global financial institutions
- e.g. HSBC’s global headquarters in UK
Why is research an important industry in the UK?
Research and development (R&D) increasing in UK
- Makes use of UK’s skilled university graduates
- In 2013: £30 billion = spent on R&D
Where are quaternary industries mainly found in the UK?
Science parks or business parks
Where are science parks or business parks in UK often located & why? (3x)
- Close to housing
- = accommodate workforce
- On outskirts of cities
- = near good transport links
- Near universities
- So research businesses in science parks = have access to university research
- = can develop cutting edge technology
- So research businesses in science parks = have access to university research
Name 3 reasons why the number of science and business parks have grown?
- Large & growing demand for high-tech products
- Science parks help develop new technology for these products
- Clusters of related businesses in one place = boost each other
- UK has high no. of strong research universities for businesses on science parks to form links with
What is the North-South divide?
Generally: Economic & social indicators better in south than north
What caused the North-South divide?
- Decline of heavy industry had greater negative impact on north
- & growth of post-industrial services industry benefited the south
Give 3 statements showing the North-South Divide in UK
- Health worse in north than south
- Wages lower in north than south
- Education = GCSE results better in south than Midlands or north
Give evidence to support “health is worse in north than south”
Life expectancy for male babies born in Glasgow in 2012 was 72.6 years but in East Dorset it was 82.9 years
Give evidence to support “wages are worse in north than south”
2014 average weekly wage was 40% lower in Huddersfield than London
Describe how changes in UK economy is causing changes in rural areas (2x)
- In Cumbria (rural area in north west England) = population of villages has decreased recently (especially in western Cumbria)
- In North Somerset (mainly rural area in west of England) = population of some North Somerset towns/villages have increased a lot in recent years (particularly close to Bristol)
In Cumbria, why has the population of villages decreased recently?
- Fewer jobs available
- Agriculture and manufacturing are big industries in Cumbria but both in decline
In North Somerset, why has the population increased a lot in recent years?
People are moving to quieter towns and villages with easy access to centre of Bristol
Name 3 social and economic effects of the population decreasing in Cumbria
- Population has dropped = decreases in services in Cumbria
- Schools, ships & other businesses in some areas are closing
- Unemployment is above the national average in two of seven districts in Cumbria
Name 3 social and economic effects of the population increasing in North Somerset
- House prices are rising which risks pricing out locals
- Roads are congested with people commuting to Bristol
- Services like schools are oversubscribed
Name 3 ways the UK government is trying to reduce the north-south divide
- Developing More Powers
- Creating Enterprise Zones
- The Northern Powerhouse
Give an example of how the UK government is developing more powers
- Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have = own developed governments
- & some powers being developed to local councils in England
Why is the UK government developing more powers?
Allows the areas to use money on schemes they feel will best benefit the local community
e.g. better public transport or regeneration projects
Give evidence to support that UK government is creating enterprise zones
55 Enterprise Zones = created across England, Scotland & Wales
Name benefits offered to companie for locating in enterprise zones
- Simpler Planning Rules
- Reduced Tax
- Financial Benefits
- Improved Infrastructure
Enterprise Zones: Name a simpler planning rule
Certain developments (e.g. new industrial buildings) are automatically allowed
Enterprise Zones: Describe how tax is reduced
Business rates are reduced by up to 100%
Enterprise Zones: Name a financial benefit
Businesses who invest in buildings or equipment can reduce future tax bills
Enterprise Zones: Give an example of improved infrastructure
Government ensures superfast broadband is available
Why does the government offer these benefits in enterprise zones?
i.e. how does this help to reduce north-south divide?
- To encourage companies to locate in areas of high unemployment
- Bringing jobs and income = help reduce north-south divide
What is The Northern Powerhouse?
Government’s plan to reduce inequality between north and south by attracting investment into north & improving transport links between northern cities
What is downside of The Northern Powerhouse?
Been criticised for being more of a concept than an actual plan
UK is developed country with ___ transport network
good
What is issue with the UK’s transport network & why is this bad?
It’s congested = slow economic development
Name 4 aspects of the transport network that UK is improving
- Railways
- Roads
- Airports
- Ports
Explain how the UK is improving the railways (2x)
- Crossrail (under construction) will increases central London’s rail capacity by 10% when it opens in 2018
- Proposed HS2 line = increase capacity & allow faster journeys between major English cities if built
Explain how the UK is improving the ports
- A new port, London Gateway = operating at mouth of River Thames
- Able to handle world’s largest container ships & hopes to become hub for global trade
Explain how the UK is improving the roads
Capacity on motorways = being increased by upgrading to “smart motorways” with extra lanes e.g. M4
Explain how the UK is improving the airports
Agreed that new runway is needed in south east ∵ existing
airports = full/filling up
Name 6 strong links the UK has with other countries (i.e. via …)
- Trade
- Culture
- Transport
- Electronic Communications
- European Union
- The Commonwealth
Strong Links to Other Countries: Describe trade & give stat
- Trades globally with links to USA, Europe & Asia
- Overseas exports worth £250 billion per year
Strong Links to Other Countries: Describe culture & give evidence
- UK’s strong creative industries = UK culture exported worldwide
- e.g. Shaun the Sheep made in Bristol = shown in 170 countries
Strong Links to Other Countries: Describe how the transport links with other countries (2x)
- Channel Tunnel links UK to France by rail
- = route for goods & people to access mainland Europe
- Heathrow acts as hub & produces links to 100s of countries
Strong Links to Other Countries: Describe how electronic
communications links the UK with other countries
Most trans-Atlantic cables linking Europe with USA = routed via UK
Strong Links to Other Countries: Give a benefit of being part of the EU and a stat
- Membership = UK citizens & business access to large market without trade/political barriers
- Over £130 billion of UK’s exports were to EU in 2015
Strong Links to Other Countries: Give a benefit of being part of The Commonwealth
Aims to improve well being of everyone in Commonwealth countries
Name 3 reasons why modern industrial developments are more environmentally sustainable
- More strict environmental regulations
- Increasing energy & waste disposal costs
- Better environmental awareness
Name an example of a modern industrial development that’s environmentally sustainable
Jaguar Land Rover opened new engine manufacturing centre in 2014 & factory designed to operate more sustainably
Describe 3 ways Jaguar Land Rover’s factory was designed to operate more sustainably
- Built to maximise natural cooling & natural light to reduce energy use
- Has solar panels on roof = generate 30% of plant’s electricity
- Almost all waste from plant recycled
