The UK has often experienced high levels of geographical unemployment. In particular areas in the north and south Wales experienced high levels of unemployment after the closure of heavy manufacturing and the coal mines. Assisted areas are government designated regions with above average levels of unemployment. They then qualify for government assistance in the form of subsidies and tax breaks for encouraging investment. To some extent these assisted areas have been successful with former depressed areas in South Wales experiencing signs of rejuvenation.
EU Assisted Areas.
The EU also has a regional policy to give help to depressed areas. Ireland has benefitted from this in particular. However, in recent years the extent of assistance given to the UK has been in decline. This is because the expansion of the EU has made UK regions appear more prosperous.