Why do people move within the UK? (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Geography B): Revision Note

Specification links

The notes on this page cover part of 1.2.3 of the WJEC Eduqas B specification –

1.2.3 - What factors help drive urban and rural change across the UK?

• Regional inequalities and social factors contribute to population movement within the UK.

• Commuting and teleworking influence where people live and work in the UK.

• Migration from outside the UK has social and economic consequences for both urban and rural areas.

Regional inequalities and social factors

• Regional inequality is the uneven distribution of wealth, opportunities, and living standards between different geographic areas within a country

• It includes economic disparities, such as income and job opportunities

  • It can also involve differences in access to services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure

• These gaps can arise as economic development is often concentrated in certain areas, like large cities, while other regions may lag behind 

Causes of regional inequality

• Economic change has not benefited all parts of the UK equally

• Deindustrialisation hit northern and western regions hardest (e.g. North East England, South Wales Valleys)

• Growth of service and tech industries concentrated in London, the South East, and major university cities

• This creates an economic divide often described as the ‘North–South divide’

North-south UK divide

• The divide reflects the political, regional, and economic gap between the north and south of England

• Policies such as aggressive deindustrialisation, privatisation, and the Housing Act, widened the gap between these regions

• These policies caused unemployment, strikes, and rising costs for people who lived in or identified as part of the North

• Average weekly pay in London is about 30% higher than in the North East (ONS, 2024 (opens in a new tab))

• Life expectancy is also higher in the South East, showing wider quality-of-life inequality

Effects on population movement

• People move towards regions with more jobs, higher wages, and better opportunities

• Younger adults and graduates often migrate southwards or towards large cities

• Rural depopulation occurs in remote areas where services and employment decline

• Examples:

  • Migration from North East England to London and the South East for finance, tech, and healthcare jobs

  • Movement from West Wales and Cornwall towards Bristol, Cardiff, and Reading

  • In contrast, some people later return north or west later in life, seeking affordability and lifestyle

• Evaluation:

  • Urban centres gain skilled workers and economic growth

  • Rural and northern areas lose young talent, leading to ageing populations and service decline

Commuting and teleworking

Commuting patterns

• Millions commute daily between urban and rural areas, linking towns, suburbs, and city centres

• Growth in motorway networks, rail services, and flexible working has extended commuting zones

• Example:

  • The London commuter belt extends into counties such as Kent, Essex, Surrey, and Buckinghamshire

  • Rural towns such as Sevenoaks, Marlow, and Guildford have become commuter settlements

• Impacts on urban areas:

  • Reduced city-centre housing demand as workers live further out

  • Increased rush-hour congestion and transport pressure

  • Supports city economies through a large daily workforce

• Impacts on rural areas:

  • Growth in housing development and rising property prices

  • Improved local services (schools, shops, broadband)

  • Traditional community structures change as commuter lifestyles dominate

• Evaluation:

  • Connects people to jobs and supports regional economies

  • Increases carbon emissions and weakens rural identity

The rise of teleworking

• Technology and high-speed internet now allow people to work from home or remote locations (teleworking)

• Driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses adopted hybrid working models

• Teleworking increases opportunities for rural living while keeping urban employment links

• Examples:

  • Growth of home-based professionals in rural and remote counties such as Devon, Norfolk, and Powys

  • Increase in digital start-ups in small towns like Hebden Bridge or Frome

  • Scotland’s Islands Deal (2023) promotes remote working hubs to sustain small communities

• Social and economic impacts:

  • Reduces commuting costs and stress

  • Supports rural economies and housing demand

  • Increases pressure on rural infrastructure (broadband, transport)

  • Risk of isolation or loss of workplace culture

Impact of migration from outside the UK

Patterns and reasons

• The UK has seen significant immigration since the mid-20th century

• Migrants arrive for work, study, safety, or family reunification

• Main sources: European Union, South Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe

• Recent Trends (ONS, 2024):

  • Net migration to the UK exceeded 500,000 per year in recent years

  • London, Birmingham, and Manchester are the main destinations, but some rural areas (e.g. Lincolnshire, Herefordshire) have also received new communities

Social consequences

• Positive:

  • Greater cultural diversity enriches cities and towns (festivals, food, music, religion)

  • Expands population in areas with ageing demographics

  • Supports education, healthcare, and hospitality sectors

• Negative:

  • Pressure on housing, schools, and healthcare services in some areas

  • Challenges in integrating new communities if resources are limited

  • Risk of social tension or misunderstanding

• Examples:

  • Leicester – thriving multicultural city; one of the most diverse populations outside London

  • Boston (Lincolnshire) – rapid Eastern European immigration supporting agriculture and food processing

Economic consequences

• Positive:

  • Migrants fill skill shortages in construction, the NHS, and hospitality

  • Contribute to tax revenue and consumer demand

  • Encourage entrepreneurship – around 15% of UK start-ups founded by migrants (UK Gov, 2023 (opens in a new tab))

• Negative:

  • In some low-wage sectors, competition can depress local pay

  • Over-reliance on migrant labour can limit training for local workers

Impacts on rural areas

• Migration can help reverse rural depopulation, especially in farming regions

• New communities revitalise local schools and services

• Some rural tensions arise if infrastructure or housing is limited

• Example:

  • Eastern European workers are vital for agriculture in Lincolnshire and Herefordshire