North south divide

• North-south divide


  The social, economic and cultural disparities between the London and the south-east of England and the rest of the UK
• People living in the south-east typically have a longer life expectancy, higher income and better standard of living than those living in the north
• House prices in the south-east are higher due to high demand
• Rates of unemployment are higher in the north as regions continue to adjust to de-industrialisation
• Median gross weekly earnings for full-time employees are higher in the south
• Unemployment rates are highest in the north
• Following the 2009 recession


  Employee numbers increased in the south, but it was not until 2012 that employee numbers in the north began to increase again
• De-industrialisation


  The main cause of the north-south divide, as manufacturing industries, traditionally located in the north have closed
• Manufacturing continues to be very important in the north whereas in the south it is ranked 7th
• As the northern economy declined the south-east became increasingly prosperous in response to the growth of the financial and service sector and the dominance of London
• The growth in incomes led to increased house prices in the south-east
• Strategies used to address the north-south divide

  • Assisted area status
  • Regional Growth Fund (England)
  • Regional Selective Assistance (Scotland)
  • The Welsh Government Business Finance (Wales)
  • Selective Financial Assistance (Northern Ireland)
  • The launch of the Northern Powerhouse concept
  • Enterprise Zones
  • Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs)
  • Planned transport improvements e.g. HS2
  • Government incentive packages to attract TNCs