Topic Summaries

Causes of economic change in the UK

IGCSE > Geography > CIE > IGCSE Geography Topic Summaries > Economic changes in the UK > Causes of economic change in the UK
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  • Deindustrialisation: the decline of industrial activity due to economic or social changes, leading to lower income and unemployment. This has led to the decline of traditional industries:
    • During the Industrial Revolution, the secondary sector (manufacturing) dominated. 
    • The primary sector (e.g. farming, mining) declined due to the increased use of machinery. 
    • In the 1960s, manufacturing declined due to mechanisation and competition from abroad. 
    • Growth in the tertiary sector (e.g. public services, finance) and, since the 1980s, the rise of the quaternary sector (e.g. research, IT).
  • Globalisation: the world becoming more interconnected through trade and cultural exchange, leading to growth in the tertiary and quaternary sectors, as the UK focuses on services and high-tech industries.
  • Government policies: 
    • EU membership (pre-Brexit): allowed free trade and access to a large market, boosting industries like finance and manufacturing.
    • Support for high-tech industries: government funding for science parks, business parks, and research has encouraged the growth of high-tech industries.

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