The north-south divide Flashcards
What is the north-south divide
The north-south divide is a term used to describe the social, economic and cultural disparities between the London and the south-east of England and the rest of the UK.
Give an examples which help show that there is a north-south divide
People living in the south-east typically have a longer life expectancy, higher income and better standard of living than those living in the north.
House prices in the south-east are higher due to high demand.
Rates of unemployment are higher in the north as regions continue to adjust to de-industrialisation.
Unemployment rates are highest in the north.
Higher disposable income in the south than in the north
School pupils in the north tend to have poorer grades
What has caused the north-south divide
The main cause of the north-south divide is de-industrialisation, as manufacturing industries, traditionally located in the north have closed. Therefore areas in the north have experienced great rates of unemployment compared to the south.
manufacturing continues to be very important in the north whereas in the south it is ranked 7th. Any changes in manufacturing have a considerable impact on the north.
Policies such as aggressive deindustrialisation, privatisation, and the Housing Act all widened the gap between the North and the South of England
These policies caused unemployment, strikes, and rising costs for people who lived in or identified as part of the North
The south have become more globalised than the north.
The South is a region of Conservative politics, private enterprise, offices, and particularly financial services with London as the dominant centre which has increased income and the value of property in the south.
However the South is a region of Conservative politics, private enterprise, offices, and particularly financial services with London as the dominant centre which has increased income and the value of property in the south
As the northern economy declined the south-east became increasingly prosperous in response to the growth of the financial and service sector and the dominance of London. The growth in incomes led to increased house prices in the south-east.
State some of the strategies to reduce/tackle the north-south divide
Local enterprise partnerships
Enterprise zones
Devolution of Power
The Northern Powerhouse Strategy
Explain how local enterprise partnerships reduce the north-south divide
Local enterprise partnerships (LEPs):
LEPs are voluntary partnerships between local authorities and businesses
By identifying local needs, companies are encouraged to invest in order to boost the local economy and create jobs, reducing the unemployment rates
Give an example of a local enterprise partnership. What are the benefits it provides to the local area
Greater Birmingham Enterprise Partnership
Reduced taxes
Improvements in infrastructure (superfast broadband)
Creation of over 50,000 jobs
Creation of 5,000 new homes
Creation of 3,000 new learners - providing a highly skilled and educated workforce
71,796 jobs forecasted for 2045
A £1.53 bn investment set to return £90 bn by 2045
Explain how Enterprise zones reduce the north-south divide.
What are the benefits of Enterprise Zones
How do they support businesses
Enterprise Zones (EZs)
These areas encourage new businesses and jobs in areas with a low amount of pre-existing economic activity
There are 48 EZs across England of which 25 are in the ‘north’
The government supports businesses in EZs by:
Providing a business rate discount on rent and taxes
Ensures the provision of superfast broadband
Grants for machinery
Creates simpler planning regulations to encourage development and further expansion
Explain how ‘The Northern Powerhouse Strategy’ reduces the north-south divide.
Aims of northern powerhouse strategy
The Northern Powerhouse is a government strategy which involves developing the economies of the major cities in Northern England to help balance the wealth and Influence of London and the South East
Aims
Improving the local economy by investing in skills, innovation, transport and culture
Devolving powers and budgets directly to northern mayors to use the money on schemes they feel will best benefit the local community: Schemes such as the Transforming Cities Fund to promote business growth and thus create and sustain local employment
E.g.
Northern Spire Bridge
Improving the local economy by investing in skills, innovation, transport and culture
Devolving powers and budgets directly to northern mayors to use the money on schemes they feel will best benefit the local community: Schemes such as the Transforming Cities Fund to promote business growth and thus create and sustain local employment
HS2 high speed rail - Aims to connect London to Birmingham and eventually Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester
Will help in reducing travel time and thereby improving business links, reducing the need for businesses to be based in London
This will bring economic benefits to the north that has suffered the most from de-industrialisation
Liverpool 2 - A new port to double the port’s capacity which will create thousands of jobs in the north west
Boost the regional economy with direct and indirect jobs
Which will support businesses in an area that has experienced severe job losses
Explain how ‘The devolution of power’ reduces the north-south divide.
The devolution of power is giving powers from main government to regional councils to male regional decisions
How it helps reduce the divide
The UK government has tied to restore some balance and regional powers held by the government, in order to give additional power and money to the councils in the north. These local councils could then use the money given to them by the government, to invest in the city/town, improve the local infrastructure, provide more jobs and develop the local economy
State some of the links through trade between the UK and the wider world
Trade involves the movement of goods and services across the world usually by air, sea, road and rail
The UK trades with many countries by sea, air, road and rail
The UK’s main trading partners are the EU (particularly Germany, France and the Netherlands)
USA important historic trading partner
Recent increases of trade with China
Post-Brexit, the UK is likely to develop stronger links with countries outside the EU (e.g. India, China and the USA)
State some of the links through transport between the UK and the wider world
The UK’s long trading heritage has resulted in the development of major ports and airports such as Heathrow and Gatwick
London Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the world
The UK is linked to the European mainland through the Channel Tunnel.
Ferries and cruise ships transport people to Europe and the rest of the world from ports such as Southampton, Dover and Hull
State some of the links through electronic communication between the UK and the wider world
The internet is increasingly important in the financial and creative sectors
99% of internet traffic passes along network of submarine high powered cables
Connections are concentrated between UK and USA
A project known as Arctic Fibre is due to connect London and Tokyo and involves 15,000km of cables through the arctic.
State some of the links through culture between the UK and the wider world
Global importance of English Language has given the UK strong cultural links with many parts of the world
Cultural links include art; fashion; music; television and film
TV is one of the UK’s major creative industries worth £1.25 billion a year with programmes such as Dr Who; Downtown Abbey; Peppa Pig and Sherlock being successful exports
Migration into the UK has infused British culture with a range (migrants brought their own culture) of characteristics including food, fashion, festivals and films.
UK links with the EU
EU has 28 member countries
It is an important trading group, but its powers also include political influence
Many in UK feel that EU is too influential in making laws which affect the UK
In 2016, UK voted to leave the EU (Brexit) and left on 31 January 2020
Whilst the UK was still a member state of the EU it benefitted from:
Financial support for farmers and disadvantaged regions in UK
Goods, services, capital and labour can move freely between member states and encourage trade
Hundreds of thousands of people from the poorer countries of Eastern Europe entered the UK in search of higher wages
There are EU laws and controls on crime, pollution and consumer rights
The European Structural Fund, supported regional developments in the UK
UK link to Commonwealth
The UK maintains strong political and economic links with its former colonies through the Commonwealth. This has supported the development of strong cultural and business links.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary organisation comprising of over 50 countries
The Commonwealth Secretariat provides advice and support to member countries on a range of issues including human rights and social and economic development
The heads of each country meet every two years to discuss issues of concern and work together to promote sustainable development
There are important trading and cultural links
There are also sporting events and connections, such as the Commonwealth Games, that promote links between Commonwealth countries.
