North–South divide in the United Kingdom facts for kids

In Great Britain, the term North–South divide talks about the differences between the south and north parts of the country. These differences can be about money, culture, or even politics.

Sometimes, it means the gap between Southern England and Northern England. Other times, it includes the rest of Great Britain, like the Midlands of England, Wales, and Scotland. The idea of this divide often cuts through the Midlands. It can even include Northern Ireland as part of "the North" when talking about the whole United Kingdom.

What is the North–South Divide?

The North–South divide isn't a clear line on a map. Instead, it's more about general ideas and beliefs people have about different regions. It involves many common ideas, sometimes called stereotypes, about how areas compare to each other.

Does the Divide Really Exist?

People have strong opinions about whether this divide truly exists. Some believe it does and that it's even getting bigger. For example, a report from 2001 found that people in North East England, North West England, and Scotland generally had poorer health than those in the South.

However, others look at the same information and say the differences are very small. The results often depend on what specific things you compare.

Signs of a Divide

Generally, some things suggest there is a North–South divide:

• Health: People in the North often have more health problems, even though more money is spent on healthcare there.
• House Prices: Homes cost more in the South, especially in the South-East of England.
• Earnings: People tend to earn more money in the South and East.
• Government Spending: The government spends much more money per person in the South-East on things that help growth, like transport and research.
• Political Power: The South, especially London, often has more political influence.
• Local Control: London has its own elected mayor who controls public transport. Most Northern cities do not have mayors with similar powers. Their transport plans are often decided by the UK government.

Challenging the Idea

It's important to remember that many well-off areas are found near major cities in the North. Also, there are areas in the South where many people face hardship.

A report in 2004 by Barclays Bank pointed out something interesting. The richest area outside London was actually Sheffield Hallam, which is in the North.

A survey in 2012 by Halifax also showed that while most of the ten most expensive places to live were in the South, Edinburgh (in Scotland) was also on the list.

Because of these examples, some people think that other differences, like social class or background, might be more important than just North versus South.

Where is the South?

There's also debate about what counts as "the South." The South of the country stretches quite far from east to west. Some people suggest that the West Country (like Bristol, Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall) should be seen as its own region. This is because some areas there have widespread hardship, similar to parts of the North.