Geography ✿ UK in 21st century + case studies

what stage is the UK on according to the demographic transition model?

stage 4

The population pyramid for the UK is typical of the 4th stage of the demographic transition model.

Explain the factors which have resulted in this pattern. [4]

• the birth rate is low

• as more women go to work

• life expectancy is longer

• as healthcare has improved

ageing population

when the number of older people increases

Explain 2 effects on the UK of having an ageing population

• older people are more likely to get ill and need overnight stays in hospital, which is costly for the NHS

• older people stay in employment even after the retirement age so that they can spend money on entertainment

Explain 2 cause of the UK’s ageing population

• birth rates are low as women are choosing not to get pregnant and work instead

• life expectancy is longer as there is better and free health care

why are percentages of older people higher near the coast?

people move there after they retire

Explain 3 responses of the UK’s ageing population

• retirement age increases so that people are working for longer and are therefore paying taxes to the government instead of claiming a pension

• taxes may increase so that more money can be spent on elderly support and medical care

• older people are encouraged to exercise and remain healthy so they do not need the NHS for medical health care to reduce costs

For a named place in the UK, explain how its ethnic diversity has changed [6]

Leicester

• After ww1, people from the Caribbean, south Asia and east Africa to the UK

• in the 1970s many Ugandan Asians were forced to flea their country and came to Leicester as refugees

• between 1991 and 2011 the amount of ethnicities grew

• as migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and India formed communities within Leicester

• by 2011, over 50% of the city’s population identified with a different ethnicity, with Indians being the most prominent

Suggest one reason for the decrease in migration to the UK

unaffordable housing

explain how the economy has been changed in the UK by changing politics priorities (job market) since 2001

a recession in 2008 caused a lot people to lose their jobs

which caused political priorities to change;

• to taxes being decreased to encourage spending and international trade

• supporting businesses

• borrowing money from private companies

after the recession in late 2009, the government focused on paying back borrowed money and helping people finding jobs

explain how the economy has been changed in the UK by changing employment sectors (job market) since 2001

• since 2001, quaternary industries have increased

• while secondary industries decreased due to cheaper materials and labour being available overseas

• professional and technical jobs (e.g. law, computing) have had the most increase

explain how the economy has been changed in the UK by changing working hours (job market) since 2001

• Overall, working hours decreased from 34.7 in a week in 2001 to 33.1 in 2014

• the number of people doing zero-hours contract and part-time jobs increased

• the number of families with full time jobs increased since 2003, when the government increased financial support for low-income families

economic hub

places where economic activity is strongest (a lot of businesses) and also have economic influence

Explain why your named economic hub is significant to its region [6]

Cambridge science park

• has a lot of high-tech, bio-tech and IT firms which provides employment for scientific researchers

• it is home for 6500 people with over 100 companies e.g. NAPP and abcam

• they keep many highly skilled Cambridge university graduates in the local area

• good transport links such as the m11 and a highly well maintained airport along with super railway links to London

Identify 3 changes which have happened in this economic hub

• more hi-tech, bio-tech and IT firms built

• house prices have increased as there is a higher demand

• bus links in Cambridge have been improved around the city and local area

explain one way an economic hub has changed [4]

• Cambridge science park has improved their transport links

• the opening of Cambridge North railway station in 2017 makes it easier to access the area

• which has also reduced traffic and road congestion

• this has encouraged more skilled workers to work there

Describe 3 ways how the UK has been involved in a global conflict through international organizations

• Somalia suffers from conflicts such as civil war, terrorism, and piracy

• as a part of international organizations such as the UN and the African Union, the UK has spent £500 million to help fight against terrorist activities by groups like Al-Shabaab and piracy to encourage peace

• The UK has also trained 100 individuals to aid Somalia security forces

• currently, the UK has been working in the area to improve food access and healthcare in the area

name 2 international organizations the UK is a part of

United nations and African Union

describe the global influence of UK TV programmes

• UK TV and films are seen by people around the world

• which increases the understanding of the English language around the world

• shows such as Doctor Who promote British culture and are influence UK lifestyles

• programmes are copied or inspired by in other countries

• TV and films influence tourism

• may attract overseas investment into UK media businesses