1. Industrialisation: Britain was one of the world's leading industrial powers at the turn of the 20th century. Its industries included coal mining, iron and steel production, shipbuilding, textiles and engineering. These industries were concentrated in the north of England, the Midlands and Scotland.
2. Agriculture: Agriculture was still an important part of the British economy, although its share of GDP had been declining since the mid-19th century. The main agricultural products were wheat, barley, oats, potatoes and livestock. Most farming was done on small family-run farms.
3. Trade: Britain was a major trading nation, and its exports accounted for around a quarter of GDP. Its main trading partners were the United States, Germany, France and the British Empire.
4. Finance: London was the world's leading financial centre, and the City of London was home to many banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions.
5. Economic growth: The British economy grew rapidly in the early 20th century, with GDP increasing by around 2.5% per year. This growth was driven by industrialisation, technological advances and the expansion of trade.
6. Unemployment: Unemployment was relatively low in the early 20th century, averaging around 4%. However, there were significant regional variations, with unemployment rates being higher in the north of England and Scotland than in the south.
7. Inequality: Income inequality was high in the early 20th century. The richest 1% of the population owned around 25% of the wealth, while the poorest 50% of the population owned just 10% of the wealth.
8. Social welfare: The British government provided a number of social welfare programmes in the early 20th century, including poor relief, old age pensions and health insurance. However, these programmes were relatively limited and did not provide comprehensive coverage.
Overall, the British economy in the early 20th century was a mixed picture. There was rapid economic growth, but this was accompanied by high levels of inequality and poverty. The economy was also vulnerable to external shocks, such as the outbreak of the First World War in 1914.