Why is there a divide?
During the industrial revolution wealth was centres in industrial towns in the north of England such as Manchester, Wales and Scotland.
Since the 1970s these industries moved abroad which increased unemployment in these previously wealthy places.
London and the south-east developed rapidly due to a fast growing service sector which grew faster than the rest of the UK which has resulted in increased house prices in the south-east.
Since the 1970s these industries moved abroad which increased unemployment in these previously wealthy places.
London and the south-east developed rapidly due to a fast growing service sector which grew faster than the rest of the UK which has resulted in increased house prices in the south-east.
Strategies to address the divide:
Northern Powerhouse
This is the investment from 2015 into deindustrialised areas by the government. The 2011 move of parts of the BBC to MediaCityUK in Manchester was a large part of that. They moved because of the investment, and the BBCs investment triggered other economic gains. |
Local Enterprise Partnership
They are voluntary partnerships between local authorities and businesses. There are 39 in the UK currently. They identify business needs in the local area and encourage businesses to invest. E.g. Lancashire LEP
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Enterprise Zones
24 have been created since 2011 and they aim to encourage the establishment of new businesses where there weren't any previously. The government supports these zones by providing:
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MediaCityUK in Salford, Manchester