Government Responses Flashcards

1
Q

Introduction

A

The government have tried many different ways to respond to inequality, including Universal Credit, National Living Wage, and Minimum Unit Pricing. Some may say that this have been an effective measure in dealing with inequality, however some would disagree. In this essay I will be arguing that government measures to tackle inequality have been mostly ineffective

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2
Q

Point 1 for Paragraph 1

A

One of the measures introduced is Universal Credit.

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3
Q

Explain 1 for Paragraph 1

A

Universal Credit is a single monthly payment given to those on longer income to help them get by. The amount given differs depending on age and salary. Some may say that it has been successful as unemployment rates have been down.

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4
Q

Example 1 for Paragraph 1

A

For example, since the introduction of universal credit unemployment rates have been historically low as the rate is currently 4.1%.

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5
Q

Analysis 1 for Paragraph 1

A

Therefore, the introduction of universal credit has encouraged working age people to continue working even on low income. Meaning that the introduction of universal credit has given people the money and motivation to tackle inequality themselves and continue to live even when faced with unemployment. Meaning it has been a successful measure as it has reduced unemployment a factor of inequality.

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6
Q

Point 2 for Paragraph 1

A

On the other hand, some may say that universal credit has not been successful as food bank usage has increases.

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7
Q

Explain 2 for Paragraph 1

A

This means that universal credit is not actually enough money to support someone on a low income and because of this people cannot afford basic necessities. This ends up meaning that a lot of people depend solely on food banks for food.

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8
Q

Example 2 for Paragraph 1

A

For example, since the introduction of universal credit the use of food banks in the UK has increased by 100%.

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9
Q

Analysis 2 for Paragraph 1

A

This shows that universal credit is actually not effective as it does not fully support or allow people on low incomes to live their lives with basic necessities since a lot of people depend on charities and food banks. The impact of this is that charities and food banks are stretched to thin and can struggle to support the large amount of people that need them.

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10
Q

Evaluation for Paragraph 1

A

Overall universal credit has been somewhat effective. While it has increased food bank usage it has also decreased unemployment, so in part it is successful, but it has also been quite unsuccessful. Meaning it is somewhat effective.

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11
Q

Point 1 for Paragraph 2

A

Another measure introduced to tackle inequality is the national living wage.

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12
Q

Explain 1 for Paragraph 2

A

The national living wage is a wage that the government recommends all companies pay their employees (at least). The idea behind it is to have a minimum wage that people can live on.

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13
Q

Example 1 for Paragraph 2

A

For example, the national living wage is £11.44.

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14
Q

Analysis 1 for Paragraph 2

A

Having this wage means that workers (aged 21 years and older) have a guaranteed amount of money that they can live by and is actually enough to survive and afford basic necessities on.

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15
Q

Point 2 for Paragraph 2

A

However, some may say that the national living wage is not enough.

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16
Q

Explain 2 for Paragraph 2

A

This means the introduction of the national living wage has done very little to help poverty rates, in fact poverty rates have barely changed since the introduction of the national living wage.

17
Q

Example 2 for Paragraph 2

A

For example, the UK poverty rate of 22% has not changed for 15 years.

18
Q

Analysis 2 for Paragraph 2

A

This shows that the national living wage does not actually do very much to combat inequalities, especially since it is a recommended wage and not a law. This means that workers do not have a basic wage that allows them to live without facing poverty.

19
Q

Evaluation for Paragraph 2

A

Overall, the national living is not an effective measure in reducing inequality as it is only a recommended wage and has not actually done very much or anything to combat inequality and poverty, therefore it is not an effective measure.

20
Q

Point 1 for Paragraph 3

A

A final measure introduced by the government to tackle inequality is minimum unit pricing.

21
Q

Explain 1 for Paragraph 3

A

Minimum unit pricing is where all alcohol has a minimum price per unit of alcohol. It was introduced to combat health inequalities through poverty, since a large majority of people in poverty are attracted to drinking alcohol as they have nothing else, they can afford. The idea is that if alcohol is more expensive people who face health inequalities and are in poverty will not buy as much alcohol as it will be too expensive.

22
Q

Example 1 for Paragraph 3

A

For example, minimum unit pricing is 65p per unit, this means that a bottle of wine with ten units of alcohol would cost at least £6.50.

23
Q

Analysis 1 for Paragraph 3

A

Minimum unit pricing means that the attraction to alcohol faced by people in poverty is much less proficient as people in poverty cannot afford lots of alcohol. The impact of this is that health inequalities caused by alcohol and faced by people in poverty are much less effective. So, the inequality gap created by health inequalities is smaller.

24
Q

Point 2 for Paragraph 3

A

However, some may argue that the price is not high enough.

25
Q

Explain 2 for Paragraph 3

A

This means that minimum unit pricing has done very little to reduce health inequalities and alcohol related problems still plague Scotland and the people in poverty. People in Scotland still face health inequalities that affect them dearly including alcohol specific ones like alcohol related deaths.

26
Q

Example 2 for Paragraph 3

A

For example, according to ONS data the number of alcohol related deaths has risen by 25% in five years between 2017 and 2022.

27
Q

Analysis 2 for Paragraph 3

A

This shows that minimum unit pricing does not effectively tackle inequalities and health inequalities health inequalities as the amount of people dying due to alcohol is increasing instead of decreasing as was intended.

28
Q

Evaluation for Paragraph 3

A

Overall minimum unit pricing is ineffective. This is because it has not done very much to tackle inequality and in reality, there has been an increase in alcohol deaths and health inequalities. Therefore, it has been ineffective.

29
Q

Conclusion

A

In conclusion, government measure introduced to combat inequality have been mostly ineffective. Some have helped, in a way, to tackle inequality however most have done very little to combat inequality. Overall, this means that the government has been mostly ineffective in their responses to inequality.