The North-South divide

Question 1

general

Answer 1

there is a clear divide in wealth in the UK, some regions and cities are wealthier than others, and the people who live there have a higher standard of living an can even live longer.

Question 2

definition

Answer 2

• geographical divide between north and south England
• social and economic/economical differences
• comparison to East-west Germany

Question 3

Reasons

Answer 3

• centralisation: big cities like London(political, financial, cultural centre) are being prioritized
• decline of Northern regions from the 1980s onwards (industry lost its importance)

Question 4

aspects (of life)

Answer 4

• decrease of life quality
  -> less job opportunities
  -> risk of poverty
  -> lack of sufficient public transport/infrastructure is deteriorating
• prospects in live might be affected (education)

Question 5

ideas to improve the situation

Answer 5

• government should set up programmes
• level up opportunities/strenghten equality
• increase job opportunities
• stimulate wage growth
• improve education and infrastructure

Question 6

aspects of economic division

Answer 6

1. productivity: London is producing goods and services worth £26,000 more per head than the north
2. the most productive sectors (e.g. finance and technology) are located in the South
3. jobs: big cities vs. the rest -> job growth concentrated in large urban areas, however: regional divide does exist (unemployment rate in the South-West< Northern Ireland
4. salaries: much higher in London

However: living costs in the North are generally lower

Question 7

A revival of the North

Answer 7

• “Northshoring”: businesses are attracted to the North (lower wages, lots of young people)
• foreign investments, e.g. by Japanese companies
• some industries saw great breakthroughs e.g. in cancer research
• strong local bonds/regional pride -> small-scale production sites in traditional sectors (e.g. textile industry) by local companies