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The north-south divide
I can evaluate strategies that attempt to resolve regional differences in the UK.
Lesson 6 of 7
New
New
- Year 11
- AQA
The north-south divide
I can evaluate strategies that attempt to resolve regional differences in the UK.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Regional differences exist in the UK between the north and the south.
- Social and economic indicators can be used to identify a north-south divide in the UK.
- There are strategies for resolving regional differences.
Keywords
Regional inequality - differences in the standard of living and wealth between two areas of the same country
Core - the economic centre of a country or region; in the UK, this is London
Periphery - the area of a country or region that serves the core and therefore has a weaker economy
Common misconception
Everyone living in a particular region will have a similar lived experience of a place.
Though in general the north and south of the UK show evidence of economic inequality, there are lots of pockets of very high levels of wealth in the north and areas of extreme poverty in the south.
Students can look at current ONS data for areas in the north and south and evaluate if these have been successful in reducing regional inequality.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What regions make up the United Kingdom?
What regions make up the United Kingdom?
England, France, Wales, Northern Ireland
England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland
Q2.What is an economy?
What is an economy?
a country's military strength
a type of government policy
Q3.Match the type of industry with its definition.
Match the type of industry with its definition.
Q4.Match the key words with their definitions.
Match the key words with their definitions.
Q5.Which of the following is a key cause of economic change in the UK during the Industrial Revolution?
Which of the following is a key cause of economic change in the UK during the Industrial Revolution?
the rise of digital technology
the expansion of the service sector
the decline in global trade
Q6.How do historical events impact regions?
How do historical events impact regions?
immediate but brief changes
little to no impact
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Geographers think about the north-south divide as an example of a (the south) and a periphery (the north).
Geographers think about the north-south divide as an example of a (the south) and a periphery (the north).
Q2.There is some disagreement over where the north-south divide actually sits. Most geographers agree that the north has:
There is some disagreement over where the north-south divide actually sits. Most geographers agree that the north has:
higher population density
higher house prices
Q3.To understand the causes of the north-south divide geographers look at the regional history. The correct sequence of events in the north of the UK that led to the current divide is ...
To understand the causes of the north-south divide geographers look at the regional history. The correct sequence of events in the north of the UK that led to the current divide is ...
Q4.Enterprise zones are areas with ...
Enterprise zones are areas with ...
fewer transport links
expensive rent for businesses
Q5.The ‘Northern ’ was an initiative to try to boost industrial growth specifically in the north of England.
The ‘Northern ’ was an initiative to try to boost industrial growth specifically in the north of England.
