The Growth of Service Activities and the Evolution of Spatial Disparities

doi:10.4324/9781315000213-34

ABSTRACT

The last two decades have been characterised by a growing prominence of service activities in regional economies in Britain (Gillespie and Green, 1987; Howells, 1988; Howells and Green, 1988). This is, of course, part of a long-term trend; the proportion of total employment in service industries has increased throughout most of the twentieth century (Table 9.2.1). The recent shift towards services has been particularly sharp, however, because it has coincided with a contraction of employment in manufacturing industry (Table 9.2.2). Table 9.2.1 Employment Changes in Great Britain, 1861–1988

	Percentage of Total Employment in Service Industries
1861	28
1871	31
1881	33
1891	35
1901	35
1911	36
1921	41
1931	49
1951	46
1961	49
1971	53
1981	62
1988	69

Source: Thrift and Daniels (1987) & Department of Employment Gazette Table 9.2.2 Employment Change by Sector in Great Britain, 1971–88 (Thousands)

	1972 Absolute	Percent	1988 Absolute	Percent	Change Absolute	Percent
Manufacturing	7890	36.4	4995	23.1	-2.895	-36.7
Services	11388	52.6	14872	68.8	+3.484	+30.6
Other	2370	10.9	1741	8.1
	21648	100	21607	100	-41	-0.2

Source: Department of Employment Gazette