The UK’s economy isn’t what it was. We mapped out why

Where in the UK has got richer — and where has been left behind? New Office for National Statistics (ONS) GDP data reveals how the economic fortunes of every UK country, region, city and town have changed between 1998 and 2024. From the decline of heavy industry in South Wales, the Tees Valley and Aberdeenshire, to the rise of technology, finance and science in London, Cambridge, Berkshire and Belfast, this explainer charts more than 25 years of economic change. We look at the impact of the 2008 financial crash, Brexit and Covid, uncover surprising winners and losers, and examine the remarkable recoveries of places including Belfast and Manchester. The data also reveals a growing divide between London and parts of northern England, while raising a bigger question: is there really one British economy — or dozens of very different ones? The video is presented by ITV News Reporter Mahatir Pasha. All data used in this explainer is correct up to 6 October 2026. 00:00 Introduction 01:45 What is GDP? 02:05 The decline of heavy industry 04:36 The growth of the knowledge economy 07:08 The impacts of Covid and Brexit 09:37 The combeback stories 11:48 Conclusion • Subscribe to ITV News on YouTube: http://bit.ly/2lOHmNj • Get breaking news and more stories at http://www.itv.com/news Follow ITV News on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@itvnews?lang=en Follow ITV News on Instagram:   / itvnews   Follow ITV News on Facebook:   / itvnews   Follow ITV News on X:   / itvnews