Uneven economic growth in UK cities

Here's an interesting report (in both a short and long version) that you may like to share with your students if you are looking for analysis on inequality and uneven economic growth within the UK.

The report, from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, attempts to categorize the type of growth witnessed by UK cities (using the word 'city' to describe major populated conurbations) and lists those cities that have witnessed relative decline. By relative decline, it does not mean a fall in population size (almost everywhere in the UK has seen a population increase) but a decline in the availability of jobs and a drift away as young skilled people leave the area (mainly to relocate to the South of England).

The report highlights the issue of 'over-shadowed' cities such as Bradford, whose shift away from an industrialised past has not been as successful as nearby larger cities such as Leeds.

The report lists the following 12 cities as showing the largest decline: Rochdale, Burnley, Bolton, Blackburn, Hull, Grimsby, Dundee, Middlesbrough, Bradford, Blackpool, Stoke and Wigan. This does not make pretty reading for the North of England!

The report suggests that the Chancellor's Northern Powerhouse initiative may not benefit cities such as those above without careful planning. It also gives some policy suggestions that may be of value as evaluative arguments for your students as part of an extended essay answer on the question of inequality and policies to remedy the issue.

The video below gives you a quick insight into the Joseph Rowntree Foundation if you've not heard of them before (but do like your Fruit Pastilles!).