Government responses to inequalities Flashcards
BI
The Guardian has reported that the decade of austerity measures has broken Britain and has left lifelong consequences which will leave a scar on Britain for the rest of our lives.
LOF
Universal credit, National living wage, educational maintenance allowance, free tuition fees, minimum unit pricing, baby boxes
Additional measures such as the Trussell Trust
LOA
While gov measures are somewhat effective, they’re not doing enough as outside organisations are having to step in
P1
One government policy that has arguably helped to solve social inequalities is UC
P1 explain (key points)
Conservative gov’s flagship scheme that streamlined 6 benefits into 1.
Gives people monthly benefit, almost like a salary to keep them out of poverty
Not a lot to encourage people back into work
Have children or disabled you get a little more
P1 example
in 2011, before roll-out of UC, unemployment rate = 7.1%, however in 2023, it was just over 4%.
P1 analysis (key points)
Unemployment rate is at an all time low
128% increase in foodbanks since introduction of UC (according to Trussell Trust)
P2
However, some people argue that the National Living Wage is more effective at tackling social inequalities
P2 explain (key points)
Minimum amount you get paid for working
Enough money to cover essentials
NLW for 23+, NMW for under 23s
P2 examples
NLW = 11.44 an hour, Real Living Wage foundation states that it should be 12.60 an hour
People on NLW are receiving £1,000 less than what the RLW should be
P2 analysis
NLLW = somewhat effective as helps to cover cost of basic essentials
Not enough to what it should be so increases person’s chances of living in poverty
P1 + P2 link
Both are somewhat effective
NLW = more effective as more people will be in work than on UC
NLW = people have reliable income which reduces poverty
P3
Another gov policy that is argues to help solve social inequalities is educational maintenance allowance (EMA)
P3 explain (key points)
16-19 year olds below the poverty line in further education get £3o every 2 weeks. Covers cost of items needed for school.
Ensures kids from disadvantages backgrounds can still have equal opportunities and gain skills + qualifications which get them a good job, so also gets them out of poverty
P3 example
15,000 students receiving EMA
P3 analysis
Somewhat effective but in 2024, TES stated that there is still a significant gap between the most affluent and least affluent schools, which proves that EMA isn’t fully effective
P4
Another government policy that some argue is more effective is free tuition fees
P4 explain (key points)
Further educational establishments don’t require you to pay to get in
Allows equal opportunities and Scotland can be as highly educated as it can be
P4 examples
Over 16.5% of people going into further education where from the most deprived 20% of Scotland.
Average tuition fees in England + NI = £9,250
P4 analysis
Free tuition fees are effective as increases amount of people accessing further education and bridges gap between most and least affluent areas
P3 + P4 link
Both policies are effective
EMA = more effective as more people will choose to stay on in school rather than attend uni
Reduces financial burden of school
P5
Another policy is minimum unit pricing (MUP)
P5 explain (key points)
Minimum price alcohol can be sold for per unit
MUP = 65P, increases as years go on
By increasing, makes it unaffordable so less alcohol related inequalities
P5 examples
Since MUP, 4.1% decrease in alcohol related deaths, 13.2% decrease in alcohol related hospital admissions
40 Scots a week still die due to alcohol
5.6x more likely to have an alcohol addiction if you’re from most deprived backgrounds
