economic future in the UK

• how has the employment structure changed in the uk?

  Initially, the UK's economy was predominantly agricultural. With the Industrial Revolution, it evolved into a manufacturing-based one. This was later supplanted by a strong focus on service industries.
• what's caused economic change in the uk?

  • globalisation
  • government policies
  • deindustrialisation
• what is de-industrialisation?


  the decline of a country's traditional manufacturing industry due to exhaustion of raw materials, loss of markets and competition from NEEs
• how is the uk moving towards a post industrial economy?

  Service sector (tertiary industries) now employ 81% of the workforce. Retail employs 4.4 million

  Information technology now employs 1.3 million people in the UK

  Research makes use of highly educated graduates

  The Finance industry is very strong in the UK, based in the city of London (responsible for 10% of GDP)
• what are science and business parks?

  Groups of companies close together, occupying land on the edge of cities/towns, close to transport links and access to universities
• Nissan's LEAF electric vehicle

  • Popular choice
  • Promotes sustainable automobile production
• Nissan's car plant


  • Uses renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines
  • Reducing carbon footprint
• Nissan's waste management


  • ' Zero waste to landfill ' policy
  • Emphasis on recycling
• Nissan's supply chain practices

  • Works with suppliers to ensure sustainable practices
• Nissan's water conservation techniques

  • Rainwater harvesting
  • Recycling
• The Skills Academy for Sustainable Manufacturing and Innovation


  • Provides specialized training for the industry
• what improvements are the UK making to its' transport network? (roads)

  • Dec 2021, government announced they would be spending £15 million on improving and expanding UK roads. e.g. improvements to traffic light systems, using innovative methods such as drones and 3D printers to help to fix potholes
  • The UK created 400 miles of 'smart motorways', which remove the hard shoulder (for emergencies) and add a new lane.
  • This increases the capacity of the UK's roads, but many people have been killed when they break down on a smart motorway with no hard shoulder
• what improvements are the UK making to its' transport network? (rail) 

  • London's tube system has 11 lines.
  • HS2
  • Crossrail has just delivered the Elizabeth line. Despite being named under the same system and having underground sections, the Elizabeth line is not classified as a London Underground line
• what improvements are the UK making to its' transport network? (ports)

  new container port is being constructed in Liverpool called Liverpool2 which will cost £300 million. The port will double Liverpool's capacity to 1.5 million containers a year. It will create thousands of jobs, boost the economy in the north-west of England and it will reduce the freight traffic on roads
• what improvements are the UK making to its' transport network? (airports)

  UK government has debated building a new runway at Heathrow, at Gatwick, or building a new airport on the Thames Estuary. None have happened yet
• what strategies are being used to resolve the north-south divide in the UK?

  The government have agreed devolution measures, which gives additional power and money to councils in the north. An example is the NTCA (North of Tyne Combined Authority)

  enterprise zones = encourage businesses with reduced taxes, relaxed planning regulations and super-fast broadband
• what connections does the UK have with the wider world?

  Trade with the UK is global

  Excellent transport connections with the world, channel tunnel, airports and ports

  Culture – lots of very popular UK TV show broadcast around the world (music, film, arts)

  We have excellent electronic communication around the world

  Our connection with the Common Wealth countries

  Currently our link with EU countries