Causes of Social Inequality

Question 1

Lack of Education KU

Answer 1

Children living in the most deprived areas of Scotland are 6 to 13 months behind their peers at problem-solving at age 5.

In 2018/19 just over 2 in 5 young people living in the most deprived areas achieve one or more, higher qualifications when leaving school. Compared to the almost 4 in 5 young people living in the least deprived areas.

Question 2

Lack of Education Balance

Answer 2

However, the £750 million attainment Scotland fund is a targeted initiative focused on supporting pupils in local authorities of Scotland with the highest concentration of deprivation.

Question 3

Unemployment KU

Answer 3

In 2018/19 51% of working-age adults in workless households were in poverty, compared with the 16% of those in working households.

Unemployment has increased from 3.9% in January 2020 to 4.8% in March 2021.

Question 4

Unemployment Balance

Answer 4

However, the JRF found that 4 million workers are currently living in poverty.

Question 5

Gender KU

Answer 5

According to the Women’s Budget Group. Women account for 69% of low earners.

74% of all part-time workers are women which impacts their income.

Question 6

Gender Balance

Answer 6

Despite all this Gender Pay Gap has reduced by approximately 10% between 1997 and 2019

Question 7

Race KU

Answer 7

40% Of minority groups live in poverty compared to around 20% of the general population.
A 2021 report on racial disparities in the UK found that the pay gap between ethnic minorities and white workers has been falling and is at its lowest level in almost a decade, at 2.3%.

Question 8

Race Balance

Answer 8

However, if you look at pupils receiving free school meals in England and Wales those from minority backgrounds are performing better. For example, over 50% of Bangladeshi pupils receiving free school meals are reaching expected standards in reading and maths compared to the around 30% of white free school meal pupils.

Question 9

Universal Credit KU

Answer 9

Universal Credit is a single monthly payment for people in or out of work that merges together some of the benefits and tax credits that they may have been receiving previously for example housing benefits and child tax credits.

In November 2021 singles under the age of 25 received £257.33

Question 10

Universal Credit Balance

Answer 10

However, as of October 2021, Universal Credit is being reduced by £20 a week as this was a temporary increase due to Covid. This may push more people into poverty

Question 11

Universal Credit Balance

Answer 11

However, as of October 2021, Universal Credit is being reduced by £20 a week as this was a temporary increase due to Covid. This may push more people into poverty

Question 12

Living Wage KU

Answer 12

Before Tax people getting paid the Living Wage would have £1,074 extra a year.

In April 2022 the living wage will increase to £9.50 for those over 23.

Question 13

Living Wage Balance

Answer 13

Age inequality. It doesn’t help those under the age of 23 who are trying to pay off student loans and buy first homes.

Question 14

EMA (Education Maintenance Allowance) KU

Answer 14

EMA is a payment given to young people aged 16-19 who are in low-income households to encourage them to stay in school. It is worth £30 a week.

It is given to them in weekly or biweekly payments.

Question 15

EMA Balance

Answer 15

The National Foundation for educational research is saying that 90% of students who receive EMA would still continue school without the payment.

Question 16

WFP (Winter Fuel Payment) KU

Answer 16

Winter fuel payment is a one-time payment for the months of November and December designed for pensioners. The amount the pensioner receives is dependent on their age and living circumstances, for example, a pensioner living alone who is older than 82 would be entitled to £300.

It has been reported that pensioners skip meals and social events in order to heat their homes.

Question 17

WFP Balance

Answer 17

Winter fuel payment prices have been the same since 2011 despite an increase in heating costs.

Question 18

PMQ (Prime Minsters Questions) KU

Answer 18

Prime Minister’s questions take place on Wednesday at noon.

Question time allows for MP’s to hold the government to account by asking the prime minister to explain policy decisions and challenging them on controversial issues.

Question 19

PMQ Balance

Answer 19

However, the government’s party often uses PMQ’s as a way to highlight the government’s success rather than hold them to account. This wastes valuable time. This makes the government look good.

Question 20

Committees KU

Answer 20

Committees are like clubs that parliament members can join and get experts along to speak. Committees can scrutinize the government and hold inquiries into spending and policies, They can even call forth the PM. Dominic Raab 2021 Foreign affairs committee.

Committees publish their findings on the UK parliament website and the government must respond within 60 days. Committees can limit the government’s power by amending bills.

Question 21

Committees Balance

Answer 21

The government can reject committees’ recommendations for example in 2017 the women and equalities committee’s recommendations for improved paternity pay and arrangements were rejected by the government. The makeup of Committees is similar to the makeup of parliament.

Question 22

Voting KU

Answer 22

Voting allows MP’s to vote on new Government policies and bills, this means the government is limited as they can’t pass every policy they want. For example, in 2016 the government planned to allow councils to extend Sunday trading hours but were opposed in the house of commons.

The largest defeat of a Government bill was in January 2019 when Theresa May’s Brexit deal was defeated by 230 votes.

Question 23

Voting Balance

Answer 23

Some MPs are forced to vote against their own opinions or what their constituents want due to the WHIP system.

Question 24

House of Lords KU

Answer 24

The house of lords debates and scrutinizes bills they pass through parliament, helping to ensure that the legislation is well-drafted and effective.

The legislation takes up around 60% of the house of Lords’ time, they are involved in the process of proposing, revising, and amending legislation.

Question 25

House of Lords Balance

Answer 25

Undemocratic, as many lords were given their status because of their loyalty to the party and prime minister of the day for example Boris Johnston put his own brother in the house of lords to join the near 800 members.

Question 26

KEEP IT UP

Answer 26

KEEP IT UP

Question 27

Social - Malaria KU

Answer 27

The economic impact of malaria is estimated to cost Africa $12 billion every year. This figure factors in costs of healthcare, absenteeism, days lost in education, decreased productivity due to brain damage from cerebral malaria, and loss of investment tourism.
The DRC has the second-highest number of Malaria cases and deaths globally, with 22% of the deaths in 2018 being Malaria related.

Question 28

Malaria Balance

Answer 28

However, access to mosquito nets has increased and there is more medicine and testing available. This means cases are decreasing and being treated more efficiently. For example, Rwanda had 430,000 fewer cases in 2017 than in 2016.

Question 29

Social - Lack of Education KU (AFRICA)

Answer 29

In 2017, 87% of primary children in sub-Saharan Africa did not reach UNESCO’s minimum proficiency level in reading.

In addition, according to the Asante Africa Foundation, for every year of additional education girls will earn 25% higher wages.

Question 30

Lack of Education Balance (AFRICA)

Answer 30

However, In 1999, only 58% of children in sub-Saharan Africa received primary education. By 2015, this had risen to an estimated 80%.

Question 31

Political - Conflict KU

Answer 31

According to the World Bank - conflict reduces gross domestic product (GDP) growth by two percentage points per year, on average.

At the height of the conflict in the Central African Republic between the Seleka forces and anti-balaka, 70% of children did not attend school.

Question 32

Conflict Balance

Answer 32

Not every country that is developing/ suffering from poverty has experienced conflict For example Botswana is more peaceful and has experienced little conflict yet is still developing.

Question 33

Political/Economical - Corruption KU

Answer 33

According to the newspaper ‘Foreign Policy’ in Sierra Leone, 50% of people had to pay a bribe to access healthcare

In addition, in 2018, the UK suspended aid to Zambia when it was revealed that over £3 million of aid money had gone missing. It was found to have been diverted away from health, education, and community development

Question 34

Corruption Balance

Answer 34

However, not every African country that is underdeveloped experiences corruption, for example, Botswana scored 60 on the global transparency index.