north-south divide

• Hull (NE)

  • Disposable income: £12500 /year
  • Life expectancy: 78
  • % of unemployed households: 25%
• London (SE)

  • Disposable income: almost £17000 /year
  • Life expectancy: 92
  • % of unemployed households: 10%
• Reasons for North-South divide:

  • Economic power of London (S)
  • Better infrastructure in S (roads, railways etc.)
  • S is closer to Europe = trade
  • De-industrialisation has negatively affected N (moving to a post-industrial economy)
• Strategy to reduce development gap: "Assisted Areas" in the North

  • Tax cuts (financial incentive)
  • Easier planning & land purchases

  = encourages businesses to locate there ---> jobs & lower unemployment
• Strategy to reduce development gap: HS2 line proposal

  • Half the time to travel between London and Manchester
  • Provides jobs (e.g. in construction)
  • Trade increase between N&S
  • Would generate £40 billion for UK economy if successful
  • May cause environmental damage & social disturbance