Explore the UK leisure and recreation industry and its development
The factors that have influenced the development of the UK leisure and recreation.
In the leisure and recreation industry there are six many categories within the United Kingdom. They are:
* Arts and entertainment
* Sports and physical recreation activities
* Heritage
* Catering
* Countryside recreation
* Home-based leisure
There have been a number of factors that have influenced the development of the industry, and these have risen from the industrial revolution.
The factors that have influenced the development of the leisure and recreation industry are: -
Increase in leisure time
Over recent years, the amount of leisure time available to the majority of people in the United Kingdom has increased, so this has also increased the number of facilities, products and services, which satisfy the customer's demands.
There has been introduction of paid holiday's entitlement since 1938, because it has become a legal requirement for employers to give their employees paid holidays. It is now known fact that 94% of workers in the United Kingdom now get four weeks or more paid holidays per year.
The length of the working week in the united kingdom had been reduced slightly, so this has gave the workers in the united kingdom, more leisure time to participate in leisure and recreation activities. Theses days the typical working week in the united kingdom ranges from 37-40 hours per week, which is not a lot compared to the 1850's because a typical working week 70 hours, and in the 1950's it gradually fell to 50 working hours per week.
It is not just the workers who have free time available to participate in leisure activities, because groups like the retired and the unemployed people need a choice of activities to participate in to, because they have a lot of leisure time available to them.
Many workers now have greater choice regarding the pattern of their working week as well as less hours, for example, some employers operate flexitime systems or a four day working week. In these cases, the weekly hours remain the same, but the pattern of employer's leisure time has changed, as they move away from the typical Monday-Friday, 9-5 working pattern.
The way people use their leisure and recreation time has changed enormously during this century. Most people now:
* Have different needs of expectations-for example, they may be more aware of the importance of health and fitness and of the need to balance work and leisure.
* Want more access to the countryside
* Are mobile-more people own cars, and the public transport system allows them to travel much more widely.
* Have more personal disposable income-money, which does not have to be spent on necessities like housing, heating, food and clothing.
* Have more time available for leisure activities because of social and economic developments, which have change working hours and patterns.
Reasons for increased leisure: -
* Since the end of the Second World War in 1945 the working week has become much shorter.
* There's more job sharing and flexitime, part-time and short-term contacts, home- working and self-employment.
* Sunday is no longer an official day of rest so all kinds of entertainment are available.
* New groups of consumers with disposable income, e.g. single people and couples in full-time work.
Average hours usually worked per week by full-time employees: by gender, EU comparison.
HOURS
Male
Female
UK
45.7
40.7
Portugal
42.1
39.6
Greece
41.7
39.3
Spain
41.2
39.6
Germany
40.4
39.3
France
40.3
38.7
Sweden
40.2
40.0
Italy
39.7
36.3
Denmark
39.3
37.7
Growth of personal disposable income
The amount of money that people have spend on leisure activities depends on the amount of money that is left after they have paid for there items of immediate necessity such as the food, drink, bills ad rent or mortgage. The remaining money is known to us as disposable income.
Some classes of people may be denied the chance of doing leisure activities such as the unemployed, pensioners and single parents because they may only receive very low incomes, so there money is spent on ...
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Denmark
39.3
37.7
Growth of personal disposable income
The amount of money that people have spend on leisure activities depends on the amount of money that is left after they have paid for there items of immediate necessity such as the food, drink, bills ad rent or mortgage. The remaining money is known to us as disposable income.
Some classes of people may be denied the chance of doing leisure activities such as the unemployed, pensioners and single parents because they may only receive very low incomes, so there money is spent on necessities only. In order for these people who are low incomes to take part in leisure activities this means the local authorities need to heavily subsidised so all activities are afford to the low income people. Single professionals or couple with jobs and no children tends to have quite a high level.
Expenditure of working age couple households with children and without children: by type of household, 1998-99
United Kingdom
PERCENTAGES
Without children
With children
Housing
7
8
Food
4
8
Leisure goods and services
7
7
Motoring and fares
9
6
Household goods and services
4
4
Clothing and footwear
6
6
Alcohol
4
3
Fuel, light and power
3
3
Tobacco
2
Other goods and services
4
4
All household expenditure
(=100%)(£ per week) 441 465
Improved mobility
Most people in the UK have access to efficient transport networks, which have made leisure and recreation facilities, products and services much more accessible. Improved transport technology has revolutionised passengers travel: aircraft, ships and trains are safe with a high number of passengers to be carried. The biggest single transport factor, which as promoted increase, demands for leisure, as been the number of cars there are in the United Kingdom at present.
There was a fivefold increase in the number of private cars on the UK's roads between 1951 and 1970 and around a tenfold increase between 1951 and the mid-1990. It is now estimated that there are over 20 million privately owned cars in the UK.
Increase car ownership therefore has been a major leisure and recreation attraction so they have become more popular.
Also with more people owning cars in the UK and better network links this has helped people to get access to the countryside for leisure activities.
The transport options now available allow people to travel quite long distances to take part in leisure activities. They can: -
* Travel to Manchester or London for night's clubbing.
* Organise coach trips to the seaside for elderly or the young.
* Take a train to London to visit major exhibitions like the Millennium Dome and Motor Show.
* Drive to remote countryside for a day of walking and climbing.
The countryside has long been as a place where you can 'get away from it all'. As working lives have centred themselves in towns and cities, people increasingly see the countryside as a resource for leisure and recreation. Developments in rail and road transport, especially the big increase in car ownership, have made getting to rural areas easier.
Traditional pursuits like walking, wildlife, bird watching and riding, the countryside is also the place to go for: -
* Climbing hills, mountains, cliffs and rocks
* Orienteering, trekking, mountain biking and survival games in the wilder areas like fells and moors
* Water sports and boating on lakes, rivers and reservoirs
* Farm holidays-now a major income source for many farmers
Governments have passed laws aimed at making rural areas accessible to the public and protecting them from damaging developments. For example: -
* Ten National Parks and 33 Areas of Outstanding Beauty have been established as a result of the National Park and countryside act (1949)
* The countryside act (1968) gave local authorities power to establish local parks and protect local areas of rural interest.
Demographic changes
Demography is the study of the way population's change, using statistics. It includes factors such as births, deaths, income, the incidence of disease and the proportion of people of different ages.
Demographic statistics can help policy makers decide things such as how many schools or old people's homes will be needed in the future. Here's an example: -
The number of people over pensionable age is projected to increase from 10.7 million in 1996 to 11.8 million in 2011.
Allowing the women's retirement age change to 65, the population of pensionable age will rise to 12.0 million by 2021.
The UK trends that are widely recognised are: -
* An increase in the number and percentage of older people in the UK
* An increase in the disposal income of younger people
* An increase in the number and percentage of working parents, which also stimulates an increase in services such as childminding and domestic work.
Here are some general statistics from www.ageconcern.org.uk
The United Kingdom, in 2000, there were over 10.7 million older people (10,789,000):
9,021,000 in England
924,000 in Scotland
586,000 in Wales
259,000 in Northern Ireland.
Ageing Population
In 2000, the population of the United Kingdom based on mid-year estimates was 59,756,000. Of this figure, 18.1% were over pensionable age:
6,915,000 were women aged 60 and over (of whom 5,442,000 were aged 65 and over)
3,875,000 were men aged 65 and over
9,316,000 were people aged 65 and over
4,399,000 were people aged 75 and over
,162,000 were people aged 85 and over.
In 1998 a man of 60 could expect to live for another 19 years and a woman of the same age for 22.6 years.
In 1996, in England and Wales, 5,523 people (4,943 women and 580 men) were aged 100 and over. In 2036 it is estimated that there will be 39,000 people in this age group, and, by 2066, 95,000.
(GB) Looking at the ethnic minority population in Great Britain, in 1997/99, 7% of the population was aged 65 and over and belonging to a minority ethnic group. Within specific groups:
5% of Black-Caribbean people were aged over 65
3% of Black-African people were aged over 65
0% of Indian people were aged over 65
7% of Pakistani people were aged over 65
6% of Bangladeshi people were aged over 65
9% of Chinese people were aged over 65.
An Ageing Population in the Future
The number of people over pensionable age, taking account of the change in the women's retirement age, is projected to increase from 10.7 million in 1998 to 11.9 million in 2011, and will rise to 12.2 million by 2021.
Employment
In 2000, there were 5.71 million people aged between 50 and the State Pension Age in employment. The employment rate for men between the ages of 50 and 64 was 68.7%, and for women between the ages of 50 and 59 was 63.5%. This compares to an employment rate for all people of working age of 74.6%.
In Spring 2000, 7.6% of men aged 65 and over and 8.2% of women aged 60 and over were still in employment.
Income
The basic pension from April 2001 to April 2002 is £72.50 for a single pensioner, and £115.90 for a couple (claiming on the husband's contributions) per week.
In 1999/2000 single pensioners received, on average, £149 net income per week. Pensioner couples received £281 per week on average during the same period.
Older pensioner households have lower incomes. In 1999/2000 pensioner couples where the man was aged over 75 received £245 net income per week on average, compared with £299 net income per week for those aged under 75.
In 1999/2000, 70% of pensioner households depended on state benefits for at least 50% of their income.
(GB) In August 2000, 1,638,000 people aged 60 or over (single people or couples) were receiving Income Support (Minimum Income Guarantee) because of their low income.
The Department for Work and Pensions estimates that, in 1999/2000, between 22% and 36% of pensioners who were entitled to Income Support, between 7% and 15% who were entitled to Housing Benefit, and between 30% and 36% entitled to Council Tax Benefit, did not claim.
Spending
Where the head of the household is aged 65 and over, a higher proportion of money is spent on housing, fuel and food (40% of expenditure) than in other households (36%).
The most severe deprivation is experienced by pensioners living alone who are mainly dependent on state pensions: nearly 48% of their expenditure goes on housing, fuel and food.
In 1999/2000, one-adult retired households mainly dependent on benefits spent £23.20 per week on food, compared with £32.40 for single non-retired households.
In 1999/2000, of pensioners mainly dependent on state pensions and living alone:
81% had central heating, compared to 89% of all households
2% had a car, compared to 77% of all households
93% had a telephone, compared to 96% of all households
2% had a mobile phone, compared to 64% of all households.
67% had a washing machine, compared to 95% of all households
4% had a CD player, compared to 86% of all households.
(NB, all households relate to households without children.)
Living Alone
(GB) In 2000, in the 65-74 age group, 19% of men and 37% of women lived alone, and 33% of men and 60% of women aged 75 and over lived alone.
(GB) In 2000, the likelihood of living alone increased with age, with 50% of those aged 75 and over living alone, compared with 12% of those aged 25-44.
(GB) In 2000, of people aged:
65 to 74 75 and over
76% 61% of men were married
56% 27% of women were married
9% 29% of men were widowed
31% 61% of women were widowed.
Leisure, Learning and Computers
In May 2000, 4 million people aged over 50 owned a computer, spending an average of 9 hours per week using it.
(GB)In October 2001, 37% of people aged 55-64, and 11% of people aged 65 and over, had used the Internet.
(GB) In 2001, 22% of people aged 65-74, and 12% of people aged over 75, took part in some sort of adult learning.
(GB) In 1996-7, walking was the most popular physical activity for older people, with 49% of men and 41% of women aged 60-69, 34% of men and 25% of women aged 70-79, and 19% of men 9% of women aged 80 and over, engaging in a walk of two miles or over in the 4 weeks before interview.
(GB) In 1996-97, of those interviewed for the General Household Survey, 99% of those aged over 50 had watched television during the previous month. The next most popular home-based leisure activity was visiting/entertaining friends or relatives (95%), followed by listening to the radio (82%).
The Safety and Health of Older People
(GB) In 2000, 57% of people aged 65-74 and 64% of people aged 75 and over in the GHS sample reported a long-standing illness. Of those aged between 65 and 74, 37% and, of those aged over 75, 47%, said that they had a long-standing illness which limited their life style.
The Alzheimer's Society estimates that there are currently over 700,000 people in the UK with dementia, of which only 18,500 are aged under 65. The chances of having the condition rises sharply with age: 1 in 20 people aged over 65, and 1 in 5 people aged over 80, will develop dementia.
In 1999, in England and Wales, the deaths of 160 people aged 65 and over involved hypothermia as the underlying cause, according to their death certificates.
In 1999, nearly 17% of all accidents within the home involved people aged 65 and over.
(GB) In 1999, of 870 pedestrian fatalities on the road, 337 (39%) were people aged 65 and over.
Health and Community Care Services
(GB) in 2000, in a three-month period, 25% of those aged 75 and over had attended the casualty or out-patient department of a hospital, compared with 15% of people of all ages.
(GB) In 2000, of those admitted to hospital in the previous 12 months, the average stay was 9 nights. However, those aged over 75 spent, on average, 16 nights.
(GB) In 2000, 86% of NHS GP consultations took place in the surgery. Consultations at home were most likely for older people, with 23% of home consultations being for those aged 75 and over.
During one week, in England, in 1998, 445,900 households received home help or home care services. Of these:
83,800 were aged 65-74
44,900 were aged 75-84 and
39,800 were aged 85 and over.
Housing
In England, during 1998/99-1999/2000:
57% of owner occupiers without a mortgage were 65 and over
4% of owner occupiers with a mortgage were 65 and over
35% of those renting from local authorities were 65 and over
31% of those renting from housing associations were 65 and over
3% of those renting privately were 65 or over.
In 1996, in England, 18.7% of single older people (over 60) lived in poor housing. Of people aged 75 and over, 19.9% of households lived in poor housing. The homes of 365,000 (12%) older lone persons (over 60) required essential modernization, compared to a figure of 6% for all households.
(GB) In 1998, 4% of people aged 65-69, 7% of people aged 70-74, 11% of people aged 75-79, 17% of people aged 80-84 and 20% of people aged 85 and over lived in sheltered accommodation.
With regard to numbers of older people in residential and nursing homes, it should be noted that statistics relate to the primary purpose of the home rather than to the individuals within them.
On 31 March 2001, in England, there were 11,500 homes for older people, with the independent sector providing 90% of these. There were 236,700 places for older people, 83% of which were in the independent sector.
In England, in 2001, the number of registered beds in nursing homes intended for use by older people was 142,500.
In 2001 the chance of living in a long-stay hospital or care home by age was:
0.05% (under 65)
% (65-74)
4.8% (75-84)
20.9% (85 plus).
Living alone
In Great Britain in 1996:
* In the 65-74 age group, 21% of men and 39% of women lived alone.
* 31% of men and 58% of women aged 75 and over lived alone.
In 1996, of people
Aged 65-74 %
75 and over %
74
62
Of men were married
53
28
Of women were married
3
29
Of men were widowed
35
62
Of women were widowed
In 1997/98, amongst pensioners who were mainly dependent on state pensions and living alone: -
* 81% had central heating, compared to 89% of all households
* 14% had a car, compared to 69.8% of all households
* 91% had a telephone, compared to 94% of all households
* 62% had a washing machine, compared to 91% of all households
