πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§United Kingdom Β· 10s

Coalition and Austerity

Cameron and Clegg, the iPad, and the age of austerity begins.

What happened

4 milestones of 2010

May 11

Coalition Government Formed

David Cameron and Nick Clegg formed a Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition β€” the first since WWII. 'The Big Society' and austerity were coming.

Nov 10-Dec 9

Student Protests Against Tuition Fees

50,000 students marched against the tripling of tuition fees to Β£9,000. Charles and Camilla's car was attacked. The Lib Dems' broken promise defined a generation.

Apr-Jul

Deepwater Horizon β€” BP's Disaster

BP's oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico. 11 workers killed. The worst environmental disaster in US history β€” and a British company was responsible. BP's shares halved.

Apr 14-20

Volcanic Ash Cloud Grounds Europe

Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted. Ash cloud grounded all flights across Europe for 6 days. 10 million passengers stranded.

What was playing

70% local Β· 30% international

What was in cinemas

The King's Speech

The King's Speech

Tom Hooper β€” Colin Firth as George VI. Best Picture. Very British Oscar bait β€” and brilliant.

Inception

Inception

Christopher Nolan β€” Dreams within dreams. British director's mind-bending masterpiece.

Toy Story 3

Toy Story 3

Lee Unkrich β€” Andy goes to university. Everyone who grew up with Woody cried.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

David Yates β€” Major UK release β€” TMDB 7.7

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Chris Columbus β€” Major UK release β€” TMDB 6.2

What was on TV

Sherlock

2010-2017 β€” Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. Modern Holmes. Britain's coolest detective.

Downton Abbey

2010-2015 β€” Julian Fellowes' period drama. The Crawley family. Maggie Smith's one-liners.

The Great British Bake Off

2010-present β€” Mary Berry, Paul Hollywood, a tent. The most wholesome show on television.

How much things cost

Currency: GBP

Pint of milk44p
Pint of bitterΒ£2.80
Average houseΒ£167,802
Litre of petrolΒ£1.20

Inflation: 3.3%

Austerity begins. 'We're all in this together' (narrator: they were not). Benefits cut, libraries closed, councils gutted.

Then vs. Now

Inflation-adjusted values

Pint of milkONS
2010 (GBP)
44p
β†’
Today's value (Β£)
--
Pint of bitterBBPA
2010 (GBP)
Β£2.80
β†’
Today's value (Β£)
--
Average houseONS
2010 (GBP)
Β£167,802
β†’
Today's value (Β£)
--
Litre of petrolRAC
2010 (GBP)
Β£1.20
β†’
Today's value (Β£)
--

Technology

iPad (UK launch)

Apple's tablet arrived. Queues outside the Apple Store.

Instagram

Photo-sharing app launched. British users flooded in.

4G trials

Next-generation mobile internet being tested.

Pop Culture

Fashion

Hipster chic β€” thick-rim glasses, vintageJack Wills for studentsOnesies at homeFestival wellies (Hunter boots)

Slang

Banterβ€” Became the defining word of the decade
Hashtagβ€” # β€” Twitter made it universal
Austerityβ€” Government spending cuts β€” the word of the era

Behavior

  • Students felt betrayed by the Lib Dems
  • Bake Off made baking the new national hobby
  • Austerity divided the country β€” cuts vs. necessity debate

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Card og de 2010

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