The Changing UK Economy

• How has the UK's industrial structure changed since 1800?

  • 1800 - People mainly worked as farmers or miners (primary sector)
  • 1900 - During the Industrial Revolution, people made steel, ships and textiles (mostly secondary)
  • 2006 - Big shift to tertiary sector with an introduction of the quaternary sector.
• What factors have caused changes in the UK economy?

  Globalisation, Industrial Revolution, Government Policies.
• How did De-Industrialisation alter the UK economy?

  De-Industrialisation was caused by the increased use of machines and technology, replacingmany people, as well as other countries producing cheaper good due to lower labour costs. This lead to a shift to the tertiary sector in the UK.
• What is De-Industrialisation?


  De-Industrialisation: The decline of traditional services, e.g manufacturing.
• What is Globalisation?


  The process of increasing interconnectedness and interdependence among countries through the exchange of goods, services, information, and ideas.
• What has Globalisation allowed the UK to do?

  • It's allowed people to work on global brands in the quaternary sector due to improved communication and sharing of ideas.
  • Increased world trade and cheaper imported products have lead to the decline in manufacturing in UK.
  • Globalisation has lead to an increase of jobs in the tertiary and quaternary sectors.
• What is a post-industrial economy?

  A post-industrial economy is where the manufacturing industry declines and is replaced by services in the teriary and quaternary sector.
• Since when is has the UK been in a post-industrial economy?

  Since the 1970's.
• How has IT helped the UK develop a post-industrial economy?

  Development of IT has been a key factor of the UK's move to a post-industrial economy.
• What are the factors of the Development of IT in the UK?

  • Internet access has allowed people to work from home.
  • IT sector employs over 1.3 million people.
  • Uk is one of the worlds leading digital economies.
• How have services and finances aided the development of the UK to a post-industrial economy?

  The UK service sector has grown rapidly since the 1970's, it contributes to 79% of the UK's GDP.
• What are the factors of service industries and finance?

  • UK is the worlds leading centre for financial services.
  • The financial service sector accounts for 10% of the UK's GDP.
• How has research helped the UK deelop in a post-industrial economy?

  • The research sector employs over 60,000 highly qualified people.
  • The sector is estimatedto contribute 3 billion to the UK economy.

  e.g: NHS, BBC, Charities, Universities, Environment Agency.
• What is a Science Park?

  A science park is a group of scientific and tchnical knowledge-based businesses located in a single site. The are often associated with universities, enabling them to use research facilities and employ highly-skilled graduates.
• What is Southampton Science Park?

  It's a science park including 100 small innovation and science businesses including Fibrecore (manufacturer of optical fibres) and Photonstar (specialising in lighting products)
• What is Photonstar and Fibrecore?

  • Photonstar - a business based in Southampton science park which specialises in lighting products.
  • Fibrecore - another business based in Southampton science park that manufactures optical fibres.
• What are the benefits of Southampton Science Park?

  • Excellent transport links - close to M3, Southampton international airport, and rail links.
  • Excellent links with University - allowing them to use research facilities and employ highly-skilled graduates.
  • Attractive location with green areas.
• What is a business park?

  A business park is an area of land occupied by a cluster to businesses, usually located along the edges of towns.
• Where are business parks usually located? Why?

  Located on the edges of towns:

  • Cheaper land and more available.
  • Better access with less congestion.
  • Businesses can benefit from working together.
• Where is Cobalt Business Park?

  Newcastle-upon-Tye.
• Cobalt business park is the Uk's largest business park, with facilities including retail outlets and a fitness centre.
• What are the benefits of Cobalt business park?

  • Park is next to A19, and A1, it's also only 20 minutes away from international airport.
  • Businesses in park qualify for government assistance.
• What companies are found at Cobalt Business Park?

  Siemens, IBM, Santander.
• What impacts has industry had on the environment?

  • Manufacturing plants look dull and affect the visual effect of landscape
  • Industrial processes and waste water can cause air, water, and soil pollution
  • The transport of raw materials and manufacturing products increase levels of air pollution
• What are the impacts of quarrying?

  • Pollute water courses
  • Scar landscapes
  • Destroy natural habitats
• What is Torr Quarry?

  A limestone quarrry in the Mendip Hills. It employs 100 people and contributes over 15 million pounds to local economy each year.
• How is industrial impact being reduced in Torr Quarry?

  • Restoring old quarrying sites to create wildlife lakes for recreation
  • 200 acrs of land has been restored
  • Regular monitoring of noise, vibration, and airbourne pollution.
  • Rail transport minimizes the impact on local roads and villages
• South Cambridgeshire

  • Large numbers of highly skilled people
  • 80% car ownership causes traffic congestion
  • Lack of affordable housing
  • High petrol prices
  • Young people cannot afford to live in the area
  • 21% employed in high-tech services
• Outer Hebrides

  • Population of 27,000 declining due to limited employment opportunities, lack of access to services, lack of internet, lack of educational opportunities
  • Many young people moving away leading to an aging population with fewer young people to support them
  • School closures due to school attendance numbers falling
  • Has been an increase in tourism however current infrastructure cannot support the scale of tourism needed to provide an alternative source of income