uk in the 21st century

• land use of the uk:

  • urban land - 12%
  • arable land - 20%
  • grassland (grazing) - 44%
  • woodland - 13%
  • mountain and moorland - 7%
  • water - 1%
• physical geography:

  the prevailing wind in the UK blows from the south-west coming from the atlantic ocean. When air carrying moisture reaches land, it is forces up over mountains where it produces relief rainfall.
• the south east is the most crowded part of the uk,with the greatest demand for water. when water demand exceeds rainfall for a long period of time it leads to drought
• an ageing population means that more government money from taxes has to be spent on pensions
• nhs needs more money. average nhs spending on retired households is double that on working age households
• ageing population means more money has to be spent on care for the elderly,either in nursing homes or in sheltered housing
• the more money spent on care for the elderly the less available for other public services
• government responses to an ageing population:

  • increasing age people must work till before receiving a state pension
  • encourage fitness and exercise for older people, reduce nhs need
  • encourage people to work even after retirement
  • allowing more immigration to uk, to replace those retiring
• economic growth is the number of businesses and jobs
• demographic growth is including a young,educated workforce and diverse population
• place growth is the number of homes and offices
• knowledge intensive businesses are those that have the most potential for growth
• high skilled workforce is one educated to degree level or above
• new business formation is one with potential to grow into a larger business