UK government policy

• What is the role of national governments?

  to facilitate regeneration projects, in partnership with charities and developers, to tackle economic, social and environmental inequalities
• Why would the UK government invest in infrastructure such as airport developments?

  to maintain economic growth and improve accessibility to promote regeneration of regions
• How are infrastructure projects funded?

  • Infrastructure projects are generally very expensive and take time to complete, so require government backing and funding
• How do local councils aim to improve their area?

  • Attracting new businesses
  • Increasing housing stock or improving the quality 
  • Regenerating a problematic location (abandoned, deprived or dangerous places)
• Introduction of Points-Based Immigration System: The UK has introduced a points-based immigration system, which treats EU and non-EU citizens equally. Under this system, individuals must meet specific criteria, such as having a job offer from an approved sponsor, meeting minimum salary thresholds, and possessing the required level of English proficiency. Points are awarded based on factors such as skills, qualifications, salary level, and shortage occupations
• what is an aim of deregulation?

  Deregulation aims to foster competition by reducing barriers to entry for new firms and allowing existing firms more flexibility in pricing, production, and service delivery. Increased competition is expected to lead to greater efficiency, innovation, and lower prices for consumers. By removing burdensome regulations, deregulation seeks to stimulate economic growth by encouraging investment and job creation. Industries freed from excessive government intervention can operate more efficiently and adapt more quickly to changing market conditions.
• What is deregulation?

  xDeregulation refers to the reduction or elimination of government regulations and restrictions on various industries, businesses, or economic activities. This process involves removing rules, laws, and bureaucratic controls that govern how businesses operate in a particular sector. Deregulation can occur in various areas, including finance, telecommunications, transportation, energy, and labor markets.
• When David Cameron was MP (2010-2015), why was the government in favour of fracking?

  was used to increase energy security

  to unlock domestic sources of natural gas

  reduce reliance on imports

  create jobs

  stimulate economic growth
• Why did the UK government decide to halt fracking (environmental impacts)?

  cause the pollution of groundwater (water stored in rocks beneath the earth's surface)

  habitat destruction- loss of ecosystems

  noise pollution- from machinery- and increased traffic- air pollution

  fracking operations linked to seismic activity due to the injection of water at high pressure into underground rocks- enters fissures and cracks- causing movement of the earth- earth tremors

  example: 2.9 magnitude eq in Blackpool
• Frack off?

  group who protested against fracking

  protested to protect sensitive and rural environments, where biodiversity would be reduced
• What were the social objections of fracking?

  local residents and local ecology groups came together to protest

  health concerns- air pollution

  government not putting investment into finding renewable sources of energy, instead into accessing non-renewable sources of energy( natural gas which is a fossil fuels)

  occurs in less built up areas/ outskirts, thus disrupting peaceful, rural villages - lose their sense of place as increased traffic, new buildings, more people located there- spoil the visual appearance- ruin the aesthetic
• 4.7c: UK government decisions about international migration?

  international migrants are usually young, of working age - some have high-level skills, some don't have transferrable skills thus will end up working in lower skilled jobs but have higher qualifications in their country of origin

  however, migrants are willing to work hard and will fill skills-shortages that the UK has in the economy , currently the UK is short on nurses and social care workers (UK has an ageing population)

  young, child-bearing age, thus start families and rebalance the ageing population of the UK
• What impact to international migrants have?

  can decrease wages

  skills-shortages are filled, thus less demand meaning workers are paid less as not in demand
• How has UK immigration policy changed?

  once leaving EU, free flows of people restricted

  points-based immigration system that is applied to everyone- based on skills shortages in UK

  more points if you posses skills which are in short supply in the UK

  when migrants arrive in the UK - set up businesses that meet the needs of their community/diaspora- to feel as they belong- creates employment
• What is deregulation?

  Removing government regulations and restrictions on industries and businesses

  offers freedom for individuals to invest
• How does deregulation impact growth?

  restrictions removed thus encouraging overseas companies such as banks to invest in the UK

  encouraged FDI from large overseas financial institutions/banks creates employment/ flow of income for government via tax revenue, the government can then invest in infrastructure and services, attracting more investment, thus creating positive multiplier effect

  but, 2008 when global financial crash hit, the UK economy became vulnerable as a result of its deregulation/ openness to foreign investment
• Deregulation stat?

  financial services now account for 30% of GDP (doubled as a result from deregulation opening up the markets)
• Disadvantage of deregulations?

  makes the UK reliant on overseas making the economy less secure
• What restrictions were removed during deregulation in the UK?

  restrictions on the amount of stocks and shares that a foreign investor could buy in a UK company

  allowed foreign investors to invest more money
• functions of the UK gov?

  policy making on:

  • migration
  • deregulation of markets
  • creating business environments
• • Onshore shale gas fracking began in the UK in 2008
  • The government saw fracking as a national priority for securing energy supplies and increasing economic stability
  •  Planning policies could be avoided if authorities thought the proposed schemes were in the national interest
  • In 2015, a new fast-track system was introduced to speed up licence applications for fracking