3.b role of the government Flashcards
What are the 5 ways the government are able to reduce inequality?
- taxation and subsidies
- local planning
- regional planning
- law
- education
What are they able to do for taxation and subsidies?
- Progressive tax system
- National insurance to pay for healthcare
- VAT at 20%- essential except from VAT so poorest people are able to buy things they need for less
- Working taxes for lower paid jobs
- Child benefits and subsidies
Taxation (vid)
Redistribute wealth
* tax on food 0% as able to access for poor
* inheritance tax - avoids stockpiling of wealth
subsidies ( vid examples)
- free school meals
- uni grants
- free bus passes
- benefits
Allows for equal access and opportunity
strengtha of taxation and subsidies as a method ?
+subsidies help improve living conditions of the poor and reduce deprivation
+taxation creates revenue to benefit the poor, through subsidies
+redistributes wealth
+means tested
limitations of taxation and subsidies as a method
-can’t eliminate poverty
-can take large amounts out of people’s wages
-child benefits don’t help to cover the entire cost
Local planning what can be done?
- Council funded investment such as improving housing quality, transport, business opportunities
- in 2022 £4.6 billion form a levelling up fund to invest in town centres and local transport systems including those in rural and coastal areas
strengths of local planning as a method
+benefits individuals as it operates on a local level
+creates jobs
+local needs are better understood
limtiations of local planning as a method
-new housing isn’t affordable as it will reflect the value of the surrounding area, not what is needed
Regional planning
- EU convergence funds deprived ares e.g. cattle market Helston, Exeter university, Tremough campus to raise education aspirations and employment
- Urban development corporations - set up in 1980s / regional development agencies later replaced these → lasted 10 years
- Doncaster railway station = improving access to town centre
- Construction of multi - use building → new office / new job opportunities
- Feasibility study - making use of towns historical sites
Regional planning example
GLasgpw tenemant slums destroyed replaced by red road flats of social housing > improving quality of life
strengths of regional planning as a method
+targets areas that are most deprived and in need of improvements
+attracts businesses/industrial development
regional planning limitations
-very costly
-some of the most deprived areas don’t have access to it
- ‘regional inequalities blighted the economic performance and lids choices’
Law as a method of reducing inequality
- Sex discrimination act- employ regardless of gender
- Car insurance- women have same rates as men
- Maternity/paternity leave
- Illegal to be racist towards people
- Disability usage- modifications
strengths of law as a method
+help protect people from discrimination at work
+makes fairer situations for men and women
limitations of law as a method
-laws can be hard to enforce
-can’t force people to change their opinions
-not going to see a instant impact-long term strategy
education as a method
- Free education for all-compulsory for all until age 18
- Compulsory to have a C in English and maths
- Cheaper travel expenses
- University grants/loans-means tested allowing all people the opportunity to go to university. Those from poorer areas have better chances of being accepted onto courses
- White paper ‘12 mission’ included nationwide gigabit cable broadband → improved education standards and training available
strengths of education as a method
+everyone can access education
+allows people to help themselves instead of being provided for
Education as a limitation
-best education still given to the richest students
-very expensive and relies on tax, so funds can become limited. If there isn’t a reliable tax system then free education isn’t possible
-doesn’t cater for all types of students-academic learning doesn’t suit all
