income/wealth inequality 20 marker

Question 1

UNEMPLOYMENT

Question 2

1. point

Answer 2

Many would argue that unemployment is a key contributing factor to poverty,

Question 3

2. explanation

Answer 3

To be unemployed means to not be working and therefore not earning the money for survival basics such as food, clothing and a shelter. It also means you may not be able to take advantage of opportunities to gain the skills required to gain employment such as unpaid internships, work experience or educational courses.

Question 4

3. evidence

Answer 4

For example, the JRP report shows households where no one is in work have a poverty rate of over 50% compared to households where someone works full time having a poverty rate of around 10%.

Question 5

4. analysis

Answer 5

This suggests that the higher poverty rate for these households may be because there is no one at home working increasing their risk of poverty.

Question 6

5. rebuttal/response

Answer 6

Further to this, if your unemployed you are likely more dependent on benefits which will make you more vulnerable to poverty.

Question 7

6. explanation

Answer 7

In the UK benefits are generally set as the absolute minimum someone needs to survive and the UK has some of the least generous benefits in Europe. The amount of support someone gets and who gets them is set by the government. Over the last decade, the government has taken a more individualistic view and frozen, restricted or reduced the support available.

Question 8

7. evidence

Answer 8

According to the JFR in 2022 this is one of the reasons why those out of work and on benefits such as Universal Credit have a poverty rate of around 54% in contrast to the overall working age poverty rate of around 20% for the UK.

Question 9

8. evaluation

Answer 9

When you consider that poverty has risen in the last 10 year while benefits have become less supportive, it is clear that being on benefits put you at great risk of government changes and poverty.

Question 10

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

Question 11

1. point

Answer 11

The educational attainment of an individual is a good indicator as to the likelihood that someone may be in poverty.

Question 12

2. explanation

Answer 12

Those with a higher level of qualification will have more skills and thus be more employable. It is also likely that they will have skills and knowledge to enter higher paid professions. This is in contrast those with lower levels of education who are more likely to be in poverty.

Question 13

3. evidence

Answer 13

The JRF found the poverty rate was lowest for those qualified to a degree level (13%) compared to those with no qualification who had a poverty rate of 44%.

Question 14

4. analysis

Answer 14

This contrast between level of educational attainment and poverty is quite stark and suggests that it may be a significant cause. of poverty.

Question 15

5. rebuttal/response

Answer 15

This makes access to education a key factor to consider but this might be harder for people in some parts in the UK.

Question 16

6. explanation

Answer 16

The area of the UK you live in can increase the likelihood of being able to afford to go to university and reduce your risk of poverty. This is because University is free for Scottish students but English students have to pay tuition fees.

Question 17

7. evidence

Answer 17

According to UCAS English students can pay up to £9,250 a year to go to university in 2022 in contrast to most Scottish students who will not generally have to pay to go to university in Scotland for their first degree or even for some post graduate degrees into well paid jobs such as teaching.

Question 18

8. evaluation

Answer 18

Considering the poverty rate in Scotland is 3% lower compared to England, the greater barrier to education may explain some of England’s higher poverty rate.

Question 19

LOW PAY

Question 20

1. point

Answer 20

Paid work is not, on its own, a guarantee of being free from poverty

Question 21

2. explanation

Answer 21

If employment alone was enough to avoid poverty then we would expect there to be much lower levels of poverty in the UK, with a poverty rate that would more closely match the unemployment rate of the country. In fact, the poverty rate for the country is much higher than the unemployment rate and the majority of working age adults in poverty live in households where there is at least one adult in work.

Question 22

3. evidence

Answer 22

For example, The UK unemployment rate at the end of 2021 was around 4% which is significantly lower than the working age poverty rate of 20% in the UK.

Question 23

4. analysis

Answer 23

Clearly in work poverty is a big problem in the UK and low pay is a key cause of that.

Question 24

5. rebuttal

Answer 24

Low pay is an issue that is more likely to affect women and younger people.

Question 25

6. explanation

Answer 25

This is because women and young people are more likely to work in low paid sectors that are more flexible around caring and educational commitments. Many families are falling below the poverty line becoming “working poor” households, particularly those with a single mother.

Question 26

7. example

Answer 26

For example, the JRF report found that in areas such as the administration and support services the rate of poverty has actually increased 4% in the last 10 years.

Question 27

8. analysis

Answer 27

These sectors are ones where women are overrepresented. This makes clear that having a job is not enough to prevent someone being in poverty and that the factor is resulting in women suffering more in particular.