Causes of economic change in the UK

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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