7.2 The problem of poverty

Question 1

what is the definition of poverty?

Answer 1

Poverty is the state of being extremely poor and not having enough income or wealth to meet basic human needs

Question 2

what is the definition of absolute poverty?

Answer 2

where an individual does have access to the basic human needs e.g. drinking water, food or shelter.

Question 3

what is the definition of relative poverty?

Answer 3

occurs when income is below a specified portion of average income, in UK this is below 60% of median income.

Question 4

What are the causes of poverty in the UK?

Answer 4

Old age, causes relative poverty as many old people rely on state pensions, this causes poverty as pensions rise in aliment with inflation not in increase in standard of living.

unemployment, as unemployment benefits are lower than pay workers received before losing jobs.

low wages, workers with jobs where their hourly and weekly pay are low. (relatively poor)

Question 5

what did the UK introduce to reduce poverty in the UK?

Answer 5

the national minimum wage

Question 6

What are the effects of poverty in the UK

Answer 6

effects all of society due due to increased spending on welfare payments and less tax recipes

effects children the most;

educational deprivation, CPAG argues that poorer backgrounds lag at all stages of education by 16 children given free school meals achieve 1.7 grades lower at GCSE

health deprivation, higher risk of illness and premature death

effects communities due to worse housing having effects on mental and physical wellbeing on children