Britain PartBritain Part

The U.K. EconomyThe U.K. Economy

※ ※What do you know about British ecoWhat do you know about British economy?nomy?

※ ※Do you know any products that are Do you know any products that are manufactured in Great Britain? manufactured in Great Britain?

※ ※Are there any British products that yAre there any British products that you can find in the Chinese domestic mou can find in the Chinese domestic market?arket?

I. A relative economic declineI. A relative economic decline

1. U.K.’s economic situation by the 1880s1. U.K.’s economic situation by the 1880s

dominant in the worlddominant in the world

※ ※1/3 world’s manufactured goods1/3 world’s manufactured goods

※ ※1/2 world’s coal and iron1/2 world’s coal and iron

※ ※1/2 world’s cotton1/2 world’s cotton

※ ※the amount of British shipping> the the amount of British shipping> the rest of the world put togetherrest of the world put together

2. U.K.’s economic situation after 2. U.K.’s economic situation after WWII(1945)WWII(1945)

overtaken by Germany and Japan, or overtaken by Germany and Japan, or even many smaller economieseven many smaller economies

3. Reasons for this relative decline3. Reasons for this relative decline

(1) Heavy debt due to war(1) Heavy debt due to war

(2) The lost of its former colonies(2) The lost of its former colonies

(3) Military presence in many overseas (3) Military presence in many overseas locationslocations

(4) Older factories and equipment(4) Older factories and equipment

(5) Low domestic investment rate & (5) Low domestic investment rate & high overseas investment ratehigh overseas investment rate

Some facts about military Some facts about military costcost• 2008 budget for military action in Iraq and Afgh2008 budget for military action in Iraq and Afgh

anistan:anistan: USA: 235.1 billion USDUSA: 235.1 billion USD UK: 3.297 billion PoundUK: 3.297 billion Pound• During Iraq war, UK government had to spend aDuring Iraq war, UK government had to spend a

bout 100-200 million pounds per month in Iraq;bout 100-200 million pounds per month in Iraq;• After Iraq war, UK was unable to fuel a war of siAfter Iraq war, UK was unable to fuel a war of si

milar scale in five yearsmilar scale in five years

A list for GDP in 2007A list for GDP in 2007

• 1 1 美国 美国 139800 46280 139800 46280 2 2 日本 日本 52900 41480 52900 41480 3 3 德国 德国 32800 39710 32800 39710 4 4 中国 中国 30100 2280 30100 2280 5 5 英国 英国 25700 42430 25700 42430

• 20 20 中国台湾 中国台湾 3980 17520 3980 17520

II. The current U.K. economyII. The current U.K. economyThree main areas: Three main areas: primary industryprimary industry secondary industry; tertiary/service industrysecondary industry; tertiary/service industry1. Primary industry: agriculture, fishing, mining, etc.1. Primary industry: agriculture, fishing, mining, etc.(1)(1) Agriculture (farming): Agriculture (farming): • Farming contributed £5.6 billion to the UK economy in 2006. The total Farming contributed £5.6 billion to the UK economy in 2006. The total

area of agricultural land in 2006 was 18.7 million hectares, about 77 pearea of agricultural land in 2006 was 18.7 million hectares, about 77 per cent of the total land area in the United Kingdom (excluding inland wr cent of the total land area in the United Kingdom (excluding inland water).ater).

• Farming in Britain has changed a great deal in the last 30 years. FarminFarming in Britain has changed a great deal in the last 30 years. Farming used to employ a great many people in Britain but nowadays, with mg used to employ a great many people in Britain but nowadays, with machinery, a few people can run a huge farm of thousands of hectares.achinery, a few people can run a huge farm of thousands of hectares.

• Agriculture provides around 60 per cent of Britain's food needs even thAgriculture provides around 60 per cent of Britain's food needs even though it employs just 1.4 per cent of the country's labour force. Britaiough it employs just 1.4 per cent of the country's labour force. Britain's agriculture is under pressure to change at the moment. Farmers arn's agriculture is under pressure to change at the moment. Farmers are under pressure to adopt more environmentally friendly methods suce under pressure to adopt more environmentally friendly methods such as organic farming. Organic farming does not use artificial chemicals h as organic farming. Organic farming does not use artificial chemicals that can damage the environment and human health. Its popularity hathat can damage the environment and human health. Its popularity has grown rapidly in recent years.s grown rapidly in recent years.

Different types of farming in Britain Different types of farming in Britain • Different types of farming occur in different regiDifferent types of farming occur in different regi

ons of Britain. This is due to the influence of relions of Britain. This is due to the influence of relief, climate (especially precipitation and temperef, climate (especially precipitation and temperature), soil type and to an extent closeness to tature), soil type and to an extent closeness to the market. Upland areas generally lend themsehe market. Upland areas generally lend themselves to sheep farming. Flat areas to crop produclves to sheep farming. Flat areas to crop production and wet/warm areas to milk and beef prodtion and wet/warm areas to milk and beef production. uction.

• Some parts of Britain have excellent soil for croSome parts of Britain have excellent soil for crops, while others are used for cattle, sheep, pigs ps, while others are used for cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry.and poultry.

In the north-west of England, Wales and Scotland, farmers keep cattle and sheep. Sheep can survive the cold winters on the hills and moors.

In the south-west of England, the rich grass is ideal for feeding dairy cows.

In the south-east of England and the lowlands of Scotland, grain, potatoes and sugar beet are grown.

In the east of England (East Anglia), wheat, barley and vegetables grow in enormous fields.

Types of Farming:Types of Farming:• Arable(Arable( 种植业种植业 )) (growing of c (growing of c

rops and cereals)rops and cereals)The UK is the fourth largest prThe UK is the fourth largest producer of cereal and oilseed coducer of cereal and oilseed crops in the EU (after France, Grops in the EU (after France, Germany and Poland) accountiermany and Poland) accounting for about 8% of total EU prng for about 8% of total EU production. oduction.

• pastoralpastoral ( ( 畜牧业畜牧业 )(rearing an)(rearing and production of animals includ production of animals including pigs, chickens, hill farminding pigs, chickens, hill farming sheep, beef and dairy cattle) g sheep, beef and dairy cattle)

• mixed farmingmixed farming (combination (combination of arable and pastoral) of arable and pastoral)

• horticulturehorticulture ( ( 园艺园艺 )(producti)(production of flowers, fruit, vegetableson of flowers, fruit, vegetables or ornamental plants) or ornamental plants)

• market gardeningmarket gardening ( ( 商品蔬菜商品蔬菜种植业种植业 )(production of fruit an)(production of fruit and vegetables) d vegetables)

• viticultureviticulture ( ( 葡萄栽培葡萄栽培 )(grape)(grapes). s).

Principal crops:Principal crops:Wheat(Wheat( 小麦小麦 ), (the most wide), (the most widely grown arable crop in the Uly grown arable crop in the UK) K) Barley(Barley( 大麦大麦 ), ), 0ats(0ats( 燕麦燕麦 ), ), potatoes, potatoes, sugar beet, (The UK is the fiftsugar beet, (The UK is the fifth largest producer of sugar bh largest producer of sugar beet) eet) vegetables, vegetables, oil seed, oil seed, fruits. fruits.

Livestock products:Livestock products:poultry, poultry, sheep, sheep, cattle, cattle, milk, milk, meat, meat, eggs, eggs, wool. wool.

(2) fishing: 55% of the UK demand for fish (2) fishing: 55% of the UK demand for fish Scottish portsScottish ports

(3)Energy production: (3)Energy production: The UK has large coal, natThe UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil reserves; primary energy production ural gas, and oil reserves; primary energy production accounts for 10% of GDP, one of the highest shares of accounts for 10% of GDP, one of the highest shares of any industrial nation.any industrial nation.

3 of the biggest ten companies in Britain 3 of the biggest ten companies in Britain are to be found in the energy sector: are to be found in the energy sector:

Shell (half Dutch) Shell (half Dutch) British Petroleum (BP)British Petroleum (BP) British GasBritish Gas RTZRTZ, the world’s largest mining compa, the world’s largest mining compa

nyny

2. Secondary industry (manufacturing indus2. Secondary industry (manufacturing industry)try)

★★pharmaceuticals: GlaxoWellcome (biggest drupharmaceuticals: GlaxoWellcome (biggest drug company in the world.g company in the world. 注：注：葛兰素威康（葛兰素威康（ Glaxo WellcoGlaxo Wellcomeme ）和史克必成（）和史克必成（ Smith KlineSmith Kline ）强强联合）强强联合 ,, 于于 20002000 年年 1212 月成立英月成立英国葛兰素史克公司国葛兰素史克公司。。 ))

★★chemicals: ICI (2nd largest paint company in thchemicals: ICI (2nd largest paint company in the world)e world)

★★food and drink: (Scotch whisky)food and drink: (Scotch whisky) ★★aerospace: 3rd in size in the worldaerospace: 3rd in size in the world ※ ※electronics/car industry: foreign ownedelectronics/car industry: foreign owned Rover BMWRover BMW ※ ※motor-racing industry: McClaren and Williamsmotor-racing industry: McClaren and Williams ※ ※British Steel: the world’s 4th largest steel coBritish Steel: the world’s 4th largest steel co

mpanympany

3. Tertiary industry3. Tertiary industryFinancial services: banking, insurance, and business servicFinancial services: banking, insurance, and business servic

es, account by far for the largest proportion of GDP. es, account by far for the largest proportion of GDP. Tourism: royal culture and museum cultureTourism: royal culture and museum cultureRetailing:Retailing:Advertising:Advertising:

Could the financial crisis mean you end up homeleCould the financial crisis mean you end up homeless?ss?(from WalletPop UK)(from WalletPop UK)

Watching daytime TV isn't something I do very often, but This Morning is on in the Watching daytime TV isn't something I do very often, but This Morning is on in the background as I type. There's a woman called Linda Stout Turner being interviewed who dbackground as I type. There's a woman called Linda Stout Turner being interviewed who despite having a good job, good skills and looking smart, she found herself homeless. She liespite having a good job, good skills and looking smart, she found herself homeless. She lives in a night shelter in London. And apparently this is just the tip of the iceberg.ves in a night shelter in London. And apparently this is just the tip of the iceberg.

How did things get so bad? And, how close are you to being out on the street?How did things get so bad? And, how close are you to being out on the street?Now, it's certainly not the aim of WalletPop to scare everyone into thinking that they'll be oNow, it's certainly not the aim of WalletPop to scare everyone into thinking that they'll be out on the street next week, but how much would it take for you to not be able to pay your rut on the street next week, but how much would it take for you to not be able to pay your rent? Three months without a job? Three weeks? And even if you did get another job, could ent? Three months without a job? Three weeks? And even if you did get another job, could you afford to pay a deposit on a new flat if you were evicted? Losing your home isn't as unfyou afford to pay a deposit on a new flat if you were evicted? Losing your home isn't as unfeasible as it once was and it could happen to anyone.easible as it once was and it could happen to anyone.

It's circumstances like this that aren't as uncommon as we think. There are more It's circumstances like this that aren't as uncommon as we think. There are more and more people becoming homeless, living with friends and in shelters because they've juand more people becoming homeless, living with friends and in shelters because they've just had bad luck. The woman This Morning interviewed was actually working and at a businst had bad luck. The woman This Morning interviewed was actually working and at a business school in the evenings to improve her skills. Some of her money was stolen and she couess school in the evenings to improve her skills. Some of her money was stolen and she couldn't afford her accommodation until payday. She was left with nowhere to live.ldn't afford her accommodation until payday. She was left with nowhere to live.

There's nothing wrong with Linda. Most people associate homelessness with druThere's nothing wrong with Linda. Most people associate homelessness with drug or alcohol problems, or mental health issues. The fact is, the government are reporting hg or alcohol problems, or mental health issues. The fact is, the government are reporting homeless figures as being down. That's not the case at all, people like Linda Stout-Turner aromeless figures as being down. That's not the case at all, people like Linda Stout-Turner are termed "willingly homeless" so they don't count in these figures. e termed "willingly homeless" so they don't count in these figures.

Homeless charity Shelter has seen a 30% increase in people contacting them Homeless charity Shelter has seen a 30% increase in people contacting them for help. When people talk about money issues and worrying about whether or not thfor help. When people talk about money issues and worrying about whether or not they'll be able to pay the rent, most of the time people pull through, get a new job or chey'll be able to pay the rent, most of the time people pull through, get a new job or change their living circumstances. But is this the only option if you're really down on youange their living circumstances. But is this the only option if you're really down on your luck? You end up in a homeless shelter?r luck? You end up in a homeless shelter?

Hopefully it won't get that bad, but if it does start to look bleak, what can you Hopefully it won't get that bad, but if it does start to look bleak, what can you do?do?

• Let your bank, your landlord and anyone you owe money to know that you're having tLet your bank, your landlord and anyone you owe money to know that you're having trouble. rouble.

• Make sure you're claiming the benefits you're entitled to. Make sure you're claiming the benefits you're entitled to. • Let friends and family know that you're struggling - they'll want to help if they can. Let friends and family know that you're struggling - they'll want to help if they can. • Do what you can to get a job and keep busy, it's easy to get depressed if situations get Do what you can to get a job and keep busy, it's easy to get depressed if situations get

bad. bad. • Look for a cheaper place to live. Look for a cheaper place to live. • Don't cross your fingers and simply assume that everything will work out. Don't cross your fingers and simply assume that everything will work out.

Those steps might seem pretty obvious, but if something as simple as losing £50 cThose steps might seem pretty obvious, but if something as simple as losing £50 can put Linda Stout-Turner on the street, a downward spiral can happen to anyone. It's an put Linda Stout-Turner on the street, a downward spiral can happen to anyone. It's not as uncommon as people think it is, and with more people becoming unemployed, not as uncommon as people think it is, and with more people becoming unemployed, there are more people applying for the jobs you want. Make sure you've got somethinthere are more people applying for the jobs you want. Make sure you've got something in the bank if the worst does happen. It's not a case of having something for a rainy g in the bank if the worst does happen. It's not a case of having something for a rainy day, it could mean the difference between you having a bed for the night in your own day, it could mean the difference between you having a bed for the night in your own home, and sleeping rough.home, and sleeping rough.