Regional differences in the UK

• There has been a North-South divide in the UK since the closure of the mining industry in the 1980s/1990s
• Areas in the North suffered an economic decline whereas areas in the South and London have developed rapidly towards the tertiary and quaternary industry
• Foreign investment is encouraged in the North eg Sunderland Nissan
• There are now 24 new enterprise zones where new businesses are encouraged to set up and work together eg Colbart Business Park in Newcastle
• There is also transport improvements to decrease travel times from North to South
• The HS2 aims to connect Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield to London with travel times being less than 2 hours
• The HS2 does not go further North than Leeds so cities such as Newcastle do not benefit
• Manufacturing industry in the North East is not as secure or high paid as in the South
• There is job losses at Nissan Sunderland and closure of the steel industry in Teeside