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The Changing UK in the 21st Century

Characteristics of the UK

  • Population density varies across the country
    • Cities have high population densities such as London, Glasgow and Birmingham
      • In London it’s about 5500 people per km2
    • It’s also high in areas around major cities or where there are clusters of cities such as the south-east, Midlands and central Scotland
    • Mountainous regions have low population densities such as northern Scotland and central Wales
    • There are areas or low population density in north England and west Wales
      • Eden and Cumbria have a population density of about 24 people per km2
  • High population densities can cause problems
    • There may be a shortage of available housing
      • In London, there are about 60 000 new homes needed every year
      • A shortage can drive up the price of houses, so some people can’t afford to live there
    • There may be pressure on services such as healthcare and schools
      • This means there can be long waiting lists to visit doctors or attend schools
  • Land use varies across the country
    • About 70% of the UK is agricultural land
      • Arable farming is more common in the south and east of the country, and grazing animals is more common in the north and west
    • Less than 10% of the UK is built on
      • Buildings are concentrated in large urban areas, especially south-east England, the Midlands and central Scotland
      • These urban areas are expanding
    • About 13% of the UK is forest
      • Some of this is natural and some has been planted and is managed by people
    • Some areas are not used as much by humans and have been left in a fairly natural state
      • Such as mountainous and boggy areas in north Scotland
  • The UK gets quite a lot of rain, but the amount varies hugely around the country
    • The north and west generally have high rainfall
      • Aultbea in northwest Scotland has an average annual rainfall of 1470mm
    • The south and east generally have lower rainfall
      • London has an average annual rainfall of 560mm
    • Areas with high population density use a lot of resources and if the area has low rainfall, it can cause water stress
      • London experiences severe water stress

Population Trends of the UK

  • In 2001, the population of the UK was about 59 million and by 2015, it was about 65 million
  • Population has increased every year since 2001, but growth rate has slowed down since 2011
  • The changing population structure of the UK is shown using population pyramids
    • In 2001, the highest number of people were in the 30-39 age group
      • This is partly because of high birth rates in the 1960s, known as the ‘baby boom’
    • By 2015, the highest number of people were in the 40-49 age group, as the ‘baby boom’ generation got older
    • Between 2001 and 2015, the number of people aged 20-29 increased
      • This is partly due to increasing numbers of young immigrants
    • Between 2001 and 2015, the number of people aged 0-39 increased by about 3%, and the number of people aged over 39 increased by 18%
      • This shows that the UK’s population is ageing
  • The demographic transition model shows how a country’s population is likely to change as if develops, based on changing birth and death rates, not accounting for migration
    • At stage 1, birth and death rates are high and fluctuating
      • The population growth rate is zero
      • The population size is low and stead
      • The UK was here before 1760
    • At stage 2, the birth rate is high and steady, and the death rate is rapidly falling
      • The population growth rate is very high
      • The population size is rapidly increasing
      • The UK was here between 1760 to 1870
    • At stage 3, the birth rate is rapidly falling, and the death rate is slowly falling
      • The population growth rate is high
      • The population size is increasing
      • The UK was here between 1870 to 1950
    • At stage 4, the birth and death rates are low and fluctuating
      • The population growth rate is zero
      • The population size is high and steady
      • The UK has been here since 1950
    • At stage 5, the birth rate is slowly falling, and the death rate is low and steady
      • The population growth rate is negative
      • The population size is slowly falling
      • The UK may be here in the near future
  • As a country develops, healthcare improves, so death rates fall, and population grows
  • Overtime, better education and increased access to contraception means that birth rate falls, so population growth begins to slow down
  • In the UK, birth rate is now at 12 births per thousand people and death date is 9 deaths per thousand people
    • These are both quite low, but the population is still growing slowly
  • There’s lots of migration to the UK which accounts for about half of the UK’s population growth
    • In 2015, over 600 000 people moved to the UK, mostly from China, Australia, India and Poland, while about 300 000 people moved overseas, mostly to Australia, France and China
    • Net migration to the UK increased from 2001 to 2004, stayed fairly constant from 2004 to 2010, decreased to 2012, the increased sharply
    • The majority of migrants move to London and the south-east, where population growth is highest
    • Migration affects the UK’s position on the DTM because many migrants are of child-bearing age
      • Immigrants make up about 13% of the UK population, but account for 27% of babies born

The Ageing Population

  • In the UK about 18% of people are over 65 and this is increasing
    • Birth rates are low because couples are having fewer children or choosing not to have children
      • It was 2.9 children per family in 1964, and 1.8 in 2014
    • People live longer due to improved healthcare and lifestyle
      • Life expectancy was 72 years in 1964, and 81 years in 2015
  • The proportion of elderly people is lower in Northern Ireland and Scotland than in England and Wales
    • It is also lower in big cities, such as London, Bristol and Manchester, as the working aged people live there for work
    • It is higher in coastal areas, such as east and south-west England, as the elderly go there to retire
  • The social effects of the ageing population are significant
    • Healthcare services are under pressure because demand for medical care has increased
    • Some people act as unpaid carers so have less leisure time, and are more stressed
    • People may not be able to afford children when they have dependent elderly relative, so birth rates may fall
    • Many retired people to voluntary work which benefits the community
  • The economic effects of the ageing population are equally significant
    • Taxes for working people rise to pay for healthcare and services such as pensions and retirement homes
    • Older people who do not work, no longer pay tax, so their economic contribution decreases
    • Some people look after their grandchildren so their children can work
    • Some people have more disposable income, which they spend on goods and services which boost the economy
  • There are several governmental responses to the ageing population
    • As the population ages, the government may need to raise taxes or cut spending in other areas to pay for support and healthcare
    • The government is raising the age at which people can claim a pension, so people stay working, contributing to taxes and pensions for longer
    • The government is encouraging people to save more money to help pay for their retirement
      • In 2025, the government launched savings accounts for over 65s, known as ‘pensioner bonds’ which offer a higher rate of interest than many savings accounts
    • The government offers a winter fuel allowance to all older people however this may only be given to those who can’t afford to heat their homes

Population Trends of London

  • London has a relatively young and ethnically diverse population
    • In 2001, the population of London was about 7.2 million and by 2015, it was over 8.5 million
      • This is faster than anywhere else in the UK
    • Growth was highest amongst working age people as many move here for work
      • The highest population growth was in the 40-49 age bracket, which increased by almost 30%
    • The percentage of men in all age groups increased more than the percentage of women, although the total number of women remained higher
    • Across the UK, about 30% of the population were born overseas, whereas in London this is 37%
    • Ethnic diversity has increased; from 60% of the population being white British in 2001, to 45% by 2011
    • The change was driven by an increase in the percentage of white non-British people, particularly from Poland and Romania, and by Black African and Asian people

The Changing Economy of the UK

  • Changes to the economy have been driven by politics
  • Between 1997 and 2007, the UK economy grew strongly, and unemployment decreased because of the government’s priorities
    • They encouraged investment in new technologies
    • Investing in university education, leading to a more skilled workforce
  • However, in early 2008, the UK entered a recession in which businesses failed, GDP decreased, and unemployment increased, so the government had to change their priorities
    • Supporting businesses so they didn’t collapse
    • Decreasing taxes on goods to encourage spending and international trade
    • Borrowing money from private companies and overseas investors
  • The recession ended in late 2009 so the government had to focus on paying off debt from the recession
    • Cutting spending on public services such as pensions, education and defence
    • Providing training for job-seekers and support for new businesses to decrease unemployment
  • There are four sectors of employment
    • Primary industries which extract resources such as mining and farming
    • Secondary industries which manufacture goods
    • Tertiary industries which offer services such as retail
    • Quaternary industries which involve education and research such as technology
  • Since 2001, jobs in quaternary industries have increased most whilst secondary industries have decreased
    • Employment in primary and tertiary industries remained steady
    • Employment in professional and technical jobs increased the most
    • Employment in manufacturing decreased the most
      • This was partly due to cheaper materials and overseas labour
  • Overall, working hours have decreased since 2001
    • In 2001, the average number of hours worked in a week was 34.7
    • In 2014, the average number of hours worked in a week was 33.1
    • It decreased slightly more for men than for women over this time
    • There has been an increase in part-time jobs and zero-hours contracts
    • The number of families with both parents in full-time work has increased since 2003, when the government increased financial support for low-income working parents

Economic Hubs

  • Economic hubs are places where economic activity is concentrated and has influence over other areas
  • Economic hubs can be on different scales
    • South Wales is home to lots of new digital and media companies, which are rapidly increasing their profits and staff numbers
      • This boosts the economy of Wales as a whole
    • London is an economic hub for the UK, and has a global economic influence with headquarters of many banks and other businesses there
      • It creates 22% of the UK’S GDP
    • Electric Works is a large office building in central Sheffield and is home to many digital, creative and media companies
  • Many of the core economic hubs are in cities with good transport and university links with a high concentration of tertiary and quaternary industries
    • They are concentrated in the south-east of England, but the government is encouraging investment outside the area
  • There is a pattern of core UK economic hubs
    • The Inverness Campus is a new business and science park just outside the city
    • In Glasgow, there is renewable energy production, and new technologies for use in building and medicine
    • In Aberdeen, there is oil and gas extraction
    • In Newcastle, there is development of science, technology and computer games
    • In Belfast, there are financial services and international trade
    • In Salford, there is media including BBC and ITV as well as manufacturing of chemicals and scientific instruments
    • In Sheffield, there are media companies and manufacturing
    • In Birmingham City Centre, there are finance, digital and ICT industries
    • In Cambridge Science Park, there is research and development
    • In Oxfordshire, there are various hubs of science, manufacturing and engineering
    • In South Wales, there are digital and media companies
    • In the Bristol Temple Quarter, there are creative and digital industries and services
    • In the City of London, there are trade and financial markets
  • South Wales is an economic hub that has changed overtime
    • It first became an economic hub in the 18th century
      • Its economy was based on coal mining and ironmaking
      • Canals and rail networks were built to transport coal and iron to the docks in Cardiff, Swansea and Newport, for exportation
      • Lots of people moved to the cities for work, making the area increasingly wealthy
    • In the 20th century, coal mining and ironworking declined due to overseas competition
      • Unemployment levels were high, and many people lived in poverty
    • In the 1990s, the different parts of the region worked together to achieve economic growth
      • They aimed to improve transport networks, attract businesses, increase skills and draw visitors to the area
      • The EU gave millions for development
        • Nearly £4 million to construct the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea
        • Nearly £80 million to improve the A465 between Hereford and Swansea, and improve the accessibility of South Wales
    • This has helped to attract private investors, including lots of high-tech companies, to the region, making it the economic hub it is now
      • These industries are likely to expand in the future, driving economic growth
  • South Wales as an economic hub is significant to its region and the UK
    • Wales is less wealthy than the UK as a whole
      • South Wales us much richer than other parts; GDP per capita is £22 000 in Cardiff and £15 500 in Wales as a whole
    • The difference in wealth is caused by the large number of companies and visitors
      • Manufacturers; Ford cars have a production plant in Bridgend that employs about 2000 people
      • Services; Admiral had their HQ in Cardiff, and offices in Newport and Swansea, and they employ 5000 people in the region
      • Digital companies there grew by 87% between 2010 and 2013; TechHub in Swansea was set up in 2016 to provide office space, networking opportunities and advice for new digital companies
      • Media; over 50 000 people are employed in media and creative industries in Wales as a whole, with the highest concentration in the south; the head office of BBC Cymru Wales is in Cardiff, and programmes made there such as Doctor Who and Casualty are exported worldwide
      • Tourism; 600 000 people visit Cardiff annually, contributing £130 million to the local economy
    • Most companies are based in the cities, creating wealth inequalities; however, they have a positive impact on the region by creating jobs, attracting visitors and prompting further development
    • Through business investment, employment and exports, South Wales contributes significantly to the economy of Wales and the UK as a whole
    • Economic growth in South Wales has had environmental impacts on the region
      • Various manufacturing industries have been built on wetlands at Wentloog in south Newport, damaging natural habitats