Effectiveness of measures taken to tackle inequalities, including government measures Flashcards
1
Q
When was the National Minimum Wage (NMW) introduced?
A
1999
2
Q
Which UK government introduced the NMW?
A
Labour government
3
Q
What was the main aim of the NMW?
A
To end poverty pay and reduce reliance on benefits
4
Q
Who pays the NMW/NLW?
A
Employers
5
Q
What is the NMW?
A
Minimum hourly pay for workers under 21
6
Q
What is the NLW?
A
Minimum hourly pay for workers aged 21 and over (as of 2024)
7
Q
When was the National Living Wage (NLW) introduced?
A
2016
8
Q
What did the NLW increase to in April 2024?
A
£11.44 per hour
9
Q
Which age group became eligible for NLW in 2024?
A
Workers aged 21 and over
10
Q
Who enforces the NMW and NLW?
A
HMRC (HM Revenue & Customs)
11
Q
What happens if employers don’t pay the NMW/NLW?
A
HMRC can take them to court
12
Q
How does the NLW reduce inequality?
A
Redistributes income to low-paid workers
13
Q
How do higher wages help the economy?
A
Increases spending and boosts employment
14
Q
How does higher pay affect workers’ productivity?
A
Makes them feel valued and work harder
15
Q
How many workers benefited from the 2024 NLW rise?
A
Over 1.4 million
16
Q
What is one risk for businesses from higher wages?
A
Increased staffing costs may reduce employment
17
Q
What effect can the NLW have on other wage levels?
A
May lead to demands for pay rises across all levels
18
Q
Who does the NLW not help?
A
The unemployed
19
Q
Why is the NLW limited in tackling poverty?
A
It only helps those in work
20
Q
What illegal practice might NLW encourage?
A
Paying workers cash-in-hand to avoid legal wages
21
Q
What is the Real Living Wage (RLW)?
A
A voluntary, higher wage based on actual living costs
22
Q
How much is the RLW in 2024 (outside London)?
A
£12.60 per hour
23
Q
What is the London Living Wage in 2024?
A
£13.85 per hour
24
Q
How is the NLW calculated?
A
Based on median earnings
25
How is the RLW calculated?
Based on cost of living
26
How many employers have adopted the RLW?
Over 15,000
27
Name 3 companies that pay the RLW.
IKEA, Aviva, LUSH
28
How much extra pay has the RLW movement provided?
Around £3.5 billion
29
What is a key criticism of the NLW regarding age?
Excludes workers under 21
30
Why is excluding under-21s from the NLW unfair?
They have similar living costs as older workers
31
What did the OBR predict about the NLW’s impact?
Up to 60,000 job losses
32
What did the British Retail Consortium predict by 2025?
900,000 retail jobs could disappear
33
What sectors benefit most from higher minimum wages?
Hospitality and social care
34
What happened to low pay levels from 2015 to 2020?
Dropped from 21% to 14%
35
What does the Living Wage Foundation say about NLW?
It doesn’t reflect real living costs
36
Why might businesses hire under-21s instead of older workers?
Lower minimum wage rate for under-21s
37
How does NLW affect wage gaps?
Narrows gap between skilled and non-skilled jobs
38
What motivation does the NLW provide for jobseekers?
Encourages employment by offering higher pay
39
What’s a common worker response to being paid fairly?
Increased effort and job satisfaction
40
What is Universal Credit?
A single monthly payment combining various benefits, adjusted based on circumstances
41
What is the main goal of Universal Credit?
To incentivise work by making claimants better off financially when they work
42
How are Universal Credit payments made?
Monthly, directly into claimants' bank accounts
43
How is Universal Credit administered?
Primarily online, with claimants managing claims through an online portal
44
What is a work allowance in Universal Credit?
The amount claimants can earn before their payments are affected
45
Does Universal Credit cover housing costs?
Yes, it includes support for housing costs, paid directly to the claimant
46
What is conditionality in Universal Credit?
Claimants must meet certain conditions, like job-seeking, to continue receiving payments
47
What is a major criticism of Universal Credit?
Delays in payments, administrative complexities, and insufficient support for vulnerable claimants
48
How has Universal Credit affected the 'customer experience'?
For many, it has been a poor experience, especially for claimants and landlords
49
How have cuts to Universal Credit affected its purpose?
Cuts have made it less likely to incentivise people to move into work or work more hours
50
What is the Office for Budgetary Responsibility's (OBR) view on Universal Credit's effectiveness?
OBR says it's too early to judge its impact
51
How many people were claiming Universal Credit in 2021?
Around 3.6 million, with over 1.4 million in employment
52
What do proponents of Universal Credit argue?
It incentivises work by reducing the taper rate as claimants earn more, increasing labour force participation
53
How is Universal Credit projected to impact poverty?
It is projected to reduce poverty among working-age adults by 1.5%
54
What flaws has Universal Credit faced in practice?
Design flaws, cuts, and administrative errors have left many claimants worse off
55
What has been a significant consequence of Universal Credit’s rollout?
Increased demand for food banks due to issues like hunger, debt, and rent arrears
56
How does Universal Credit impact housing costs?
It incorporates housing costs into payments, but delays can lead to rent arrears and evictions
57
What did the National Audit Office (NAO) report about Universal Credit’s rollout?
The rollout was slower and more expensive than initially planned
58
What administrative challenges has Universal Credit faced?
Delays in payments, difficulties with the online system, and errors in assessing entitlements
59
What is the Baby Box initiative?
A government program providing expectant or new parents with essential items for newborns, including a safe sleeping space
60
When was the Baby Box initiative launched in Scotland?
In 2017
61
What is the main purpose of the Baby Box?
To promote infant health and safety, support new parents, and reduce socioeconomic disparities
62
What items are typically included in the Baby Box?
Baby clothing, blankets, diapers, hygiene products, and other newborn care necessities
63
What is the Baby Box designed to serve as?
A crib or bassinet for safe sleeping practices
64
How does the Baby Box promote safe sleeping?
It includes a mattress and bedding, offering a secure sleeping space for newborns
65
How does the Baby Box help reduce sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)?
By providing a safe sleeping area that adheres to safety guidelines
66
What additional resources are included in the Baby Box?
Educational materials on newborn care, breastfeeding, and infant health
67
How has the Baby Box been received in Scotland?
It has been well-received, with high uptake among new and expectant parents
68
How many Baby Boxes have been distributed in Scotland as of March 2024?
292,720 Baby Boxes
69
What is one key goal of the Baby Box initiative in Scotland?
To reduce health and social inequalities by providing essential resources to all families
70
How does the Baby Box help low-income families?
It provides baby essentials that may otherwise be unaffordable for struggling families
71
What concerns have some experts raised about the Baby Box?
Limited evidence of its impact on reducing child mortality and safety concerns about regular use as a sleeping space
72
Who has expressed concerns about the Baby Box initiative?
Dr. Robert Viner (paediatrician) and Naomi Eisenstadt (poverty advisor)
73
What is a significant difference between the Scottish and Finnish Baby Box models?
In Finland, the Baby Box is tied to attending antenatal classes, whereas this is not a requirement in Scotland
74
What challenge may prevent vulnerable parents from accessing the Baby Box?
Barriers like lack of awareness, literacy challenges, and language issues may reduce access
75
What do critics argue about the Baby Box’s universal approach?
They suggest it may not be the most effective use of resources, especially without targeted distribution
76
How could the Baby Box initiative be improved according to critics?
By linking it to educational milestones or providing targeted resources to families in greater need
77
What is the primary benefit of the Baby Box for parents?
It helps reduce financial strain by providing essential baby items and encourages safe sleeping practices
78
How does the Baby Box contribute to addressing health inequality?
By providing essential items and education, it helps improve infant health and reduces disparities in child welfare
79
What have some parents reported about the quality of Baby Box contents?
Complaints about low-quality maternity pads and faulty equipment
80
What concerns do experts have about the 'safe sleeping space' in the Baby Box?
Lack of evidence supporting its effectiveness as a safe regular sleeping space
81
How does the Baby Box aim to reduce costs for parents?
By providing essential items like clothes, diapers, and a crib, which otherwise might be expensive
82
What educational component does the Baby Box include?
Informational booklets on safer sleep practices, which have reportedly saved lives
83
What are the financial concerns regarding the Baby Box initiative?
The cost to the government may impact the quality of the box's contents
84
What do critics say about the effectiveness of the Baby Box?
While it helps struggling parents, its overall impact on infant health is questioned due to limited evidence
85
What is the P1-5 Free School Meals Initiative?
A Scottish Government program providing free school meals to all children in primary school years P1 to P5, regardless of family income
86
When was universal free school meals introduced for P1-3 pupils in Scotland?
In 2015
87
When was the free school meals program expanded to include P1-5 pupils in Scotland?
In 2022
88
Why was the P1-5 Free School Meals Initiative introduced?
To address food insecurity and promote better nutrition and health outcomes
89
What international benefits are associated with similar free school meal programs?
Improved attendance, better academic achievement, and reduced food insecurity
90
What is the uptake rate of the P1-5 Free School Meals program in Scotland?
Around 82%, benefiting about 231,000 children
91
How much do families save annually per child due to free school meals in Scotland?
Around £400 to £450 per child
92
How does the universal provision of free school meals help reduce stigma?
It ensures all children receive meals, regardless of income, eliminating stigma associated with means-testing
93
What positive impact does the P1-5 Free School Meals Initiative have on families?
It reduces financial strain and ensures children receive daily nutritious meals
94
What concern do critics like the Labour Party have about universal free school meals?
They argue it disproportionately benefits wealthier families and misallocates resources
95
What is the Labour Party's suggestion for improving the allocation of resources?
Targeting resources to families in need through means-testing, rather than providing meals to all students
96
What nutritional concerns have been raised about the free school meals provided?
Reports of meals lacking in essential nutrients, including limited fruits, vegetables, and proteins, and insufficient portion sizes
97
What percentage of eligible P1-3 children took up free school meals in 2019?
81.7% (over 134,500 children)
98
How much do free school meals save families in Scotland each year?
Around £380 per eligible child
99
What are the educational benefits associated with the free school meals initiative?
Higher attendance rates and improved academic achievement
100
What concern has been raised about the portion sizes of free school meals?
Portion sizes may be insufficient to meet the nutritional needs of older children and teenagers
101
What is a significant criticism of the universal nature of the P1-5 Free School Meals Initiative?
It may worsen inequality by providing the same benefit to all, including wealthier families
102
What does the Labour Party argue about funding for universal free school meals?
They suggest funds could be better directed to support families in poverty, rather than subsidising meals for families who can afford to pay
103
How does the universal nature of free school meals contribute to participation?
It ensures that no child is left out, leading to higher participation rates compared to means-tested programmes
104
What is the primary goal of the P1-5 Free School Meals Initiative in Scotland?
To reduce food insecurity and promote equal access to nutritious meals for all primary school children
105
What has been the impact of universal free school meals on child health?
Improved nutrition, better concentration, and overall positive health outcomes for children
106
What criticism do some experts have regarding the nutritional quality of the meals?
Meals have been described as overly processed, with high levels of unhealthy fats, sugars, and sodium
107
How has the Scottish Government worked to improve the P1-5 Free School Meals initiative?
By improving meal quality and accessibility within schools
108
How does the initiative support families financially?
It saves families money by providing free meals, reducing financial strain and contributing to better nutrition
109
What further improvements have critics suggested for the free school meals program?
Better targeting for older students and higher meal quality to improve overall effectiveness
