Uneven Demographics Uk EQ3 Flashcards
(14 cards)
What are the key internal migration patterns in the UK?
-Internal migration is shaped by age and life stage. Between July 2014 and June 2015, there were 2.85 million moves within England and Wales
-Most occurred in early adulthood (ages 19–22), often when people leave home for university or relocate for work
-London and the South East saw the highest number of people moving in and out
-There’s a net population loss from urban cores like London and a net gain in more rural and suburban areas due to counter-urbanisation and suburbanisatio
What is the North–South drift and why is it significant?
-The North–South drift describes the long-term trend of people moving from the North of England to the South East and London. It began during the 1930s economic depression when the industrial North suffered mass unemployment
-Migrants were attracted to the South for service-sector jobs, better infrastructure, and perceived higher quality of life
-This continues to impact regional inequality today
What are suburbanisation and counter-urbanisation, and how do they affect patterns?
-Suburbanisation involves people moving from inner cities to suburbs, often for more space and better living conditions
-Counter-urbanisation is the movement from cities to smaller towns or rural areas, often due to remote working, lifestyle choices, or retirement
-Both alter the age structure and population dynamics of both urban and rural regions, increasing housing pressure in rural zones and reducing it in urban cores
What impacts does internal migration have on demographics and services?
-Migration alters total population and age structure
-Net gains in areas like Cornwall or the South West lead to ageing populations, increased demand on healthcare and housing, and rising property prices
-Net losses (like in industrial towns in the North) reduce demand for schools and result in service closures
-Labour shortages, underused infrastructure, and a decline in working-age residents are common in such areas
What are the main international migration flows to the UK?
-Major flows include post-war migration (e.g. 1948 Windrush generation), migration from former colonies (e.g. 750,000 Pakistanis and 1 million Indians from the 1960s), and Eastern European migration after EU enlargement in 2004
-Refugee flows also increased in the 1990s–2000s due to conflicts (e.g. Iraq, Somalia, Syria)
-The UK’s culture and workforce have been shaped by these patterns, especially in cities like London and Birmingham
What is the case study of Boston, Lincolnshire, and how has Eastern European migration shaped the area?
-Boston, located in eastern England, is a farming town in Lincolnshire, known for its fertile land and reliance on agricultural labour (e.g. peas, cabbages, broccoli).
-Between 2001 and 2011, Boston saw a 470% increase in its overseas-born population, one of the highest in the UK. This was primarily due to the influx of Eastern European migrants, especially from Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, and other A8 countries following EU Enlargement in 2004.
What opportunities has Boston saw from overseas migration?
-: Migrants filled significant shortages in the agricultural sector, particularly for low-paid, physically demanding roles like vegetable picking and packing, jobs which had seen a fall in uptake from local British workers.
-Migration brought a boost to local economy through greater productivity and consumer spending in shops, housing, and services. Polish and Lithuanian businesses (e.g. delicatessens, barbers, food stores) began to emerge, diversifying the town’s economy.
-The town became more culturally diverse, with new religious centres, cuisine, and language presence in public spaces, reflecting growing multiculturalism.
What challenges has Boston saw from overseas migration?
-Social tensions and community division: Some locals felt economically threatened, believing migrants were undercutting wages, especially in unregulated cash-in-hand jobs. This fed anti-migrant sentiment and political friction.
-Exploitation and poor working conditions: Reports highlighted that some migrants, especially Latvians, were exploited by gang-masters. The Financial Times (2015) revealed that many were paid below the legal minimum wage (£6.21 at the time), had wages illegally deducted for accommodation and transport, and were vulnerable to abuse due to weak English skills and limited legal knowledge.
-The rapid growth in population placed strain on public services such as healthcare, schools, and housing. Language barriers increased pressure on schools and GPs, with translation services required but often underfunded.
-Integration difficulties: A lack of planning for such rapid demographic change led to segregated communities in some neighbourhoods, with limited cultural exchange between locals and migrants.
-Media and reputation: Boston gained national attention and was later nicknamed one of the “least integrated towns” in Britain, fuelling a wider debate on migration policy
-The town’s demographic changes were cited as one of the reasons behind Boston recording one of the highest Leave votes (76%) in the Brexit referendum
How has the UK government influenced migration patterns?
-The UK government acts as a gatekeeper through visa policy, refugee acceptance, and EU membership
-For instance, post-2004 EU enlargement allowed freedom of movement for Eastern Europeans (e.g. Polish migration surge). Government restrictions or policy shifts (e.g. Brexit) now significantly affect who enters, stays, or leaves, changing both the volume and type of migration
How has migration influenced UK culture and identity?
-Migration has made the UK more culturally diverse, especially in cities. It has introduced new languages, religions, foods, and festivals
-This diversity brings vibrancy and economic growth but also raises tensions in some communities where change feels rapid or integration is poor
-Places like Southall in London are examples of ethnic clustering with rich cultural heritage but also potential social division
How did COVID-19 impact internal migration patterns in the UK?
-Remote working: The rise of hybrid and home-based work led many professionals to leave major cities like London in favour of more spacious, rural, or coastal areas with lower living costs.
-Counter-urbanisation intensified, especially among young families seeking better quality of life and more green space.
-Temporary pauses in university and graduate relocation due to lockdowns slightly reduced movement among 19–22 year olds.
-Increased pressure on rural housing markets, particularly in Cornwall, Devon, and the Lake District, where urban buyers pushed up prices, reducing availability for locals
What are the long-term demographic impacts of post-COVID migration?
-Urban cores like London saw a decline in younger working professionals during 2020–2021, though numbers are beginning to stabilise.
-Rural and coastal communities have seen ageing populations reinforced by a mix of retirees and families relocating for lifestyle reasons.
-Service strain has increased in rural areas, especially in healthcare and schools, due to rapid, uneven in-migration.
-Digital infrastructure investment has grown, reflecting the need to support remote workers in previously low-demand areas
Why did Polish migration to the UK rise after 2004?
-EU Enlargement in 2004 gave citizens of new member states, including Poland, the right to live and work in the UK.
-Push factors in Poland included low wages, youth unemployment, and limited career progression.
-Pull factors in the UK included higher wages, plentiful jobs (especially in agriculture, hospitality, and construction), and existing Polish communities.
-By 2016, Poles made up the largest foreign-born population in the UK (over 900,000 people)
What are the impacts of Polish migration in rural UK locations?
-Filled gaps in low-paid seasonal work (e.g. farming, food processing), especially in areas like Lincolnshire and Norfolk
-Cultural contributions: Polish shops, churches, and community centres became part of the rural landscape, contributing to local diversity
-Tensions: Some local residents feared job competition or cultural segregation.
-Integration issues: Language barriers and discrimination were challenges, especially in areas without established support services
