North/South divide in mobility patterns? Latest research by Mike Coombes covered in The Independent
How far people in England commute and how far they go when moving house depends on factors like how old and well off they are, and whether they're in a metropolitan or remote area. Once these factors are taken into account, the evidence is that northerners commute as far as southerners to reach job opportunities. At the same time there is a north–south contrast in migration distance: in the north's old industrial towns especially, people move less far. One possibility is that the more localised northern mobility reflects a finer grained sense of identity, perhaps at the scale of town or city rather than the county.
Mike’s research was presented at the recent RGS-IBG conference and has since been covered by the national and regional media. Please see the following links:
Published: 10th July 2012
