I, Daniel Blake: Social and Political Context

Question 1

What is austerity?

Answer 1

• A set of government policies designed to control national debt.
• I.e Increasing taxes or spending cuts.

Question 2

What issues does I, Daniel Blake address?

Answer 2

• I, Daniel Blake addresses contemporary British social issues such as poverty, the welfare system and the Work Capability Assessment.

Question 3

What type of characters are portrayed in I, Daniel Blake?

Answer 3

• The film portrays a group of traditionally underrepresented characters in Newcastle struggling in poverty to gain benefits and support.

Question 4

What political ideologies does I, Daniel Blake convey?

Answer 4

• I, Daniel Blake converys a clear-left wing political message and critcises specific government policies.

Question 5

What issues does Ken Loach also address in other works and why?

Answer 5

• Much of Ken Loach’s work (Cathy Come Home, Raining Stones, etc) had addressed similar issues of class inequality for he is a social campaigner, known for his socialist political views.

Question 6

Austerity in I, Daniel Blake

Answer 6

• ‘I, Daniel Blake.’ is a anti-austerity. Promotes the plight of the working class individual and ordinary working man against the UK Welfare system. Criticises specific Government policies.