Government & Change
Geography: Edexcel A Level, topic 6.1.3
The Role of Government Policy
Government actions can foster or suppress diversity, both historically and in current times.
The 'Windrush generation'
- After World War 2, the UK government encouraged the migration of Caribbean and South Asian people to the UK to work in key service industries.
- These have been called the ‘Windrush generation’ (named after the first boat that brought West Indian workers to the UK in 1948).
- But in recent years, it has emerged that many of these people and their children weren't given official UK citizenship and could be deported.
- The government has now stated they are entitled to remain in the UK.
Brexit
- The ‘Brexit' vote and the UK Government’s response to it have caused unease amongst EU citizens living and working within the UK.
- This uncertainty has provoked calls for consistent government policy on cultural diversity in the UK, particularly with the rise of right-wing anti-immigration parties.
Demographic and Cultural Change
Population growth and decline are affected by fertility and mortality, but also by migrations. Places are also influenced by global and international forces which affect them in both positive and negative ways.
Fertility and mortality
- Population growth is driven by high fertility rates.
- Young immigrant populations have higher fertility than the population in general and youthful populations also have low mortality rates.
- Changes to fertility and mortality rates at a national scale influence the provision of services e.g. maternal services, nurseries and schools.
- E.g. in towns such as Peterborough (fertility) and care homes in towns such as Budleigh Salterton (mortality).
Globalisation
- Globalisation allows key characteristics/products of a place to become known to other parts of the world.
- E.g. EU products like Champagne, Parma ham and Melton Mowbray pies
- International forces have brought changes to some parts of London.
- E.g. financial institutions in the Canary Wharf area and Russian oligarchs in Kensington.
- The growth of a global western culture sometimes referred to as ‘MacDonaldisation’ is seen by many to be an erosion of distinctive national and regional cultures.
Test yourself on Government & Change
What is the name for the people that were encouraged to migrate to the UK after World War 2?
The Windrush Generation Controversy
What is population growth driven by?
Which of these are examples of how globalisation has affected the UK?