Lecture 5

The main economical regions

1. The main economical regions

2. The South industrial and agricultural region.

3. The Midlands

4. Lancashire and Yorkshire

5. National Economy of Scotland

6. Wales.

1. The main economic regions.

Regional differences in the country’s economy are essential despite its small territory. Historically England proper is divided into the following economic regions the South industrial and Agricultural region, Central England or the Midlands, Lancashire, Yorkshire and North England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are also regarded as independent economic regions of the United Kingdom. Hence, the whole country consists of eight economic regions.

One of the main problems to emerge in Britain during the twentieth century has been the imbalance of economic activity between individual regions. This largely on the coal fields and its replacement by a new structure more closely related to accessibility and the transport and network. Attempts have been made to slow down or even reverse this process but they have failed and Britain has witnessed the emergence of what has been called the “Two Nations” – one characterized by comparative economic activity (especially of the so-called “new industries”) population growth and a strong industrial base, the other which includes most of the coalfield marked by declining industries, decaying towns and cities, and high rates of emigration. The outlying national regions of the United Kingdom, such as Wales, Scotland and especially Northern Ireland are most depressive. The traditional disparities which existed between these regions and England proper have accelerated in recent years.

The combination of an inefficient manufacturing industry, then policy of “privatization” has produced unemployment are a true reflection of the decline which has occurred in the old industries of the country. Especially hard hit are the outlying national regions such as Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Besides these regions, North England, Lancashire and Yorkshire are also experiencing difficulties. South England and the midlands are comparatively doing well.

There is the obvious relationship between unemployment and the dependence of an area on manufacturing industry. For it has been manufacturing industry which has born the brunt of the recession, and employment in this sector of the economy has actually declined to such an extent that the very existence of some of the country’s major industries is now threatened. These included several of the industries upon which the United Kingdom has traditionally dependent for prosperity – such as iron and steel, shipbuilding, textiles. Emphasis has been put recently on the development of high technology industries – in an attempt to overcome the problems of the country. However, growth did not fully offset the losses suffered by the old traditional industries. In fact the industries to show large-scale growth have been limited to those in the area of high technology. Hence those regions where there is a greater concentration of high technology industries, such as South England, The Midlands, can be regarded to be in a more favorable position. Nevertheless, this remedy is not without its problems.