Regional Breakdown of Structural Unemployment post 1980s Flashcards
What was the main cause of structural unemployment in Northern England during the early 1980s?
The collapse of heavy industries (coal, steel, shipbuilding, textiles)
This collapse led to significant job losses in the region.
Which cities in Northern England were most affected by deindustrialisation?
Newcastle, Liverpool, Sheffield, Manchester
These cities faced the consequences of state-owned industries being privatised or shut down.
What was the unemployment rate in some areas of Northern England, such as Liverpool, during the early 1980s?
Exceeding 15%
Long-term unemployment became endemic in these areas.
What characterized the economic situation in Northern England during the early 1990s?
Continued deindustrialisation and weak recovery
The region struggled with further industrial decline and slow private-sector investment.
What economic events in the early 1990s delayed recovery in Northern England?
The housing crash and high interest rates
These factors negatively impacted businesses in the region.
Which areas in Northern England faced stubbornly high unemployment in the early 1990s?
Former manufacturing areas (e.g., South Yorkshire, Teesside)
These areas were particularly hard-hit by industrial decline.
How did the economic situation in Northern England change during the 2008-09 period?
Services were hit, but less dramatically than in the 1980s
By this time, most manufacturing jobs had already been lost.
What impact did public sector cuts under austerity have on Northern cities after 2010?
Disproportionately affected cities reliant on state employment
These cuts led to significant job losses in the public sector.
What types of local employers suffered job losses in Northern England during the austerity period?
Retail and call centres
These sectors were major local employers in the region.
What is a key issue that has persisted in Northern England regarding employment?
The long-term failure to replace lost manufacturing jobs with high-value employment
This issue has contributed to ongoing economic challenges in the region.
What major industries faced job losses in the West Midlands during the early 1980s?
Car manufacturing, machine tools, and engineering
Notable company affected was British Leyland.
What was the unemployment rate in Birmingham during the early 1980s?
Above 16%
This was a significant rise attributed to job losses in manufacturing.
What factors contributed to the decline of engineering and car manufacturing in the West Midlands?
Low productivity and foreign competition
Competitors included countries like Japan and Germany.
What was a significant economic event that further impacted the Midlands in the early 1990s?
The 1991 recession
This recession led to further factory closures, especially in the automotive sector.
Which towns in the Midlands were particularly affected by dependence on car production?
Coventry and Luton
These towns experienced rising long-term unemployment due to factory closures.
How did the 2008-09 recession differ in its impact on manufacturing compared to previous recessions?
Manufacturing declined less than financial services
This marked a shift in the economic landscape during the recession.
Which car manufacturer cut jobs during the 2008-09 recession?
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR)
JLR was one of the notable carmakers affected by the economic downturn.
What was a key issue faced by the Midlands region following the economic challenges?
The struggle to transition from low-value manufacturing to high-tech industries
This transition was essential for future economic stability.
True or False: Unemployment spikes in Birmingham, Leicester, and Nottingham during the 2008-09 recession were as severe as in the 1980s.
False
The spikes were noted but not as severe as during the early 1980s.
What sector helped London avoid the worst effects of deindustrialisation in the early 1980s?
Growing finance and professional services sector
This growth allowed London to maintain economic resilience despite broader industrial declines.
Which areas in London suffered from structural unemployment due to the decline of shipping and manufacturing?
Docklands and East London
These regions were particularly hit hard by the shifts in industry.
What major economic event affected London in the early 1990s?
The property crash and falling house prices
This recession was more severe than the one in the 1980s.
How did the 1990s recession impact financial services and banking in London?
Declined significantly and commercial property values collapsed
Inner-city unemployment rose as a result.
What was the impact of the 2008-09 financial crisis on London’s economy?
London was the worst-affected region due to the crisis originating in financial services
This led to mass layoffs and increased unemployment among young professionals.
What event is highlighted as a significant cause of job losses in London during the 2008-09 crisis?
Lehman Brothers collapse and RBS bailouts
These events triggered widespread layoffs in banks and law firms.
What was a consequence of the 2008-09 financial crisis for young professionals in London?
Struggled to find work, leading to increased graduate underemployment
This demographic faced significant challenges in securing employment.
What helped London’s economy recover after the 2008-09 crisis?
Tech and fintech growth post-2012
This sector’s expansion played a crucial role in the recovery process.
True or False: London’s overreliance on finance made it more resilient during the 2008 crisis.
False
The overreliance on finance left London vulnerable, but its diversified economy facilitated a quicker recovery.
Fill in the blank: London’s economy avoided the worst effects of deindustrialisation due to its growing _______.
[finance and professional services sector]
What industry collapsed in the early 1980s in Scotland?
Clyde shipbuilding industry
This collapse caused mass unemployment in Glasgow.
Which industries were affected by closures in the early 1980s aside from shipbuilding?
Steelworks and coal mines
Areas like Lanarkshire and Fife were particularly impacted.
What industries helped Scotland recover in the early 1990s?
Oil industry and financial services
The oil industry was centered in Aberdeen, while financial services were prominent in Edinburgh.
Which areas in Scotland continued to experience long-term unemployment after the early 1990s recovery?
Former industrial areas such as Glasgow and Dundee
These areas struggled despite recovery in other sectors.
What major economic event occurred in 2008-09 in Scotland?
Financial services crisis due to the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) bailout
This event led to significant layoffs in finance and professional services.
How did the oil and gas sector perform during the initial phase of the 2008-09 crisis?
Remained resilient initially
However, it suffered in the following years after the crisis.
What was a key issue regarding Scotland’s economic transition?
Transition from heavy industry to finance left the economy vulnerable to banking crises
This transition provided some resilience but created new risks.
What event in the early 1980s led to structural unemployment of 20%+ in some areas of South Wales?
The collapse of the coal industry
This collapse significantly impacted the South Wales Valleys.
Which two cities in South Wales experienced heavy job losses in steel production?
Port Talbot and Ebbw Vale
These cities were major centers for steel manufacturing.
What manufacturing sector faced a decline in the early 1990s in South Wales?
Electronics manufacturing
Companies like Sony and Panasonic were notably affected.
What prevented an even steeper decline in employment opportunities in South Wales during the early 1990s?
The public sector and EU funding
These sources provided critical support to the economy.
What economic challenges did Cardiff face during the 2008-09 period?
Public sector austerity and retail struggles
Cardiff’s economy was more resilient due to finance and universities.
How did the Valleys towns fare economically during the 2008-09 period?
They still faced high unemployment
Despite Cardiff’s relative economic stability.
What sectors were hard hit, causing further job losses in the Valleys towns?
Retail and hospitality
These sectors struggled significantly during the economic downturn.
What key issue arose from the dependence on public sector jobs and EU investment?
Long-term challenges created by austerity and Brexit
This dependence made the economy vulnerable to policy changes.
What period is referred to as The Troubles in Northern Ireland?
1969–1998
What effect did The Troubles have on investment in Northern Ireland?
Discouraged investment and led to high unemployment
Which areas were particularly affected by high unemployment during The Troubles?
Catholic areas
What industries declined in Northern Ireland during the early 1980s and 1990s?
- Shipbuilding (Harland & Wolff, Belfast)
- Textiles
What type of unemployment increased due to industrial decline in Northern Ireland?
Structural unemployment
What major economic event occurred in 2008-09 in Northern Ireland?
Job losses in banking and services
How was Northern Ireland cushioned during the 2008-09 economic downturn?
By public sector employment
What was a key issue affecting Northern Ireland’s economy after 2008-09?
Dependence on public spending and low private-sector growth
