The Centre for Cities have published some really interesting facts about various UK Cities. And, in particular, how things have changes in just over 100 years. The panel below is pretty much self-explanatory.
Whilst we didn’t fare too well in a couple of categories – the fundamental shift is in the move away from manufacturing to a service industry base. That is an incredible turn around.
We now need to build on that…
Not exactly a like for like comparison though is it Tim? Take donation benefits … what about incapacity benefit and council tax relief and theres a whole lot more benefits, way way more than 5% I am sure. The switch between manufacturing and services is probably replicated across every other UK city, the drive for profits ie greed has seen many of our manufacturing jobs exported and service jobs are not immune from this. I find the increase in professional occupations most interesting and probably a fair reflection of the great benefit of education, its a staircase to a better life for those able to make the climb and no you dont have to be rich to make it either. The poor working class of 1901 would have little or no chance of any kind of professional occupation.