UK- NORTH/SOUTH DIVIDE

Question 1

What is the north-south divide?

Answer 1

• refers to the real or imagined cultural & economic differences between the south of England and the north of England
• in general the south enjoys higher standards of living = long life expectancy + higher income
• BUT it has higher house prices, more congestion & to some measure less happiness
• south of England: the south-east , greater London, the south-west
• the north of England: Yorkshire, the Humber, the north-east & north-west

Question 2

How can this be reduced?

Answer 2

• additional power + money given to councils in the north

- more professional jobs created in the north

Question 3

How can additional power help reduce the north/south divide?

Answer 3

• allows local councils to use money on schemes they feel will best benefit the local community

EXAMPLE: the Mayor for Greater Manchester, has been given £1 billion of devolved funds to spend on improving the city & attracting new businesses

• meaning that fewer decisions about the city are made in London = more decisions are made by the people of Manchester

Question 4

How can more professional jobs help reduce the north/south divide?

Answer 4

• popularity of uni’s such as Manchester & Leeds have encouraged professionals to settle in the north
• the relocation of some businesses and organisations can also help

EXAMPLE: the BBC moved many of its offices to the newly built MediaCityUK in Salford in 2011

• Since then, the multiplier effect has led to other companies locating close by, eg the Holiday Inn