Wealth inequalities Flashcards
BI
Scotland has 6th largest economy but not represented by all citizens
LOF
Cost of living, unemployment, racism, poor education, UC, GENDER
LOA
These factors are huge but one = most prevalent
Intersectionality
P1
One cause of wealth inequalities in Scotland and U.K is COLC
P1 explain (key points)
Relatively new phenomenon but undeniably widened gap between haves and have nots
Inflation dramatically increasing price of essentials but wages + benefits didn’t follow
People who didn’t previously suffer now do
P1 example
Rate of inflation in U.K rose by 11%, benefits rose by 3.1%
P1 analysis (key points)
Major factor as wages + benefits didn’t increase so makes it harder for people to live in this economy so more people now live in poverty
P2
However, some people argue that unemployment is a bigger factor compared to COLC
P2 explain (key points)
Unemployment = always been a factor
People who don’t have a job may not have a reliable income so struggle to afford items needed for long + healthy life
No job means that may struggle to gain skills + qualifications needed for permanent employment
P2 example
Scotland, May 2024, unemployment rate = 4.5%
P2 analysis
More likely to face inequalities compared to those working as they don’t have a reliable income so can’t afford essentials and more likely to live in poverty
P1 = P2 link
Both factors = significant
COLC = bigger as everyone experiences its effects such as rapid increase of food and fuel but not everyone is unemployed
P3
One cause of wealth inequalities in Scotland and the U.K is racism
P3 explain (key points)
Labour market data shows MEI less likely to be promoted for senior lever roles. be paid the same, work higher skilled jobs compared to white counterparts
Outperform white peers in school, not reflected in Labour market data
MEI have skills to progress but racism is holding them back
More likely to work in lower skilled jobs + be unemployed
P3 examples
ME households 3x more likely to live in deep/very deep poverty compared to white counterparts
Around half of all houses headed by someone of Bangladeshi heritage and 40% of black households live in poverty
P3 analysis
Minority ethnic individuals being overlooked causes inequalities as they don’t have same wages or opportunities as white counterparts so more likely to live in poverty
P4
However, some people argue that Universal Credit is a more concerning factor compared to racism
P4 explain (key points)
Long waits = difficult access criteria mean that high rates of poverty persist within those who rely on benefits
More vulnerable to austerity measures, sanctions, reduction/freezing of benefits
Causes inequalities as they don’t have a reliable income as they can’t afford essential items and makes them more likely to live in poverty
P4 example
54% of those on UC are living in poverty
P4 analysis
Long wait lists & difficult access criteria, people on UC more likely to experience inequalities than those who aren’t as their income may be unreliable
P3 + P4 link
Overall, racism is a bigger factor as more people identify as a minority ethnic individual and experience racism compared to being on UC
P5
One cause of wealth inequalities in Scotland and the U.K is poor education
P5 explain (key points)
Lowest educated in society won’t have equal opportunities
Struggle to gain skills + qualifications to find permanent + well-paying employment so don’t have income to afford essentials
P5 examples
Children as young 3 in the most deprived areas already underperforming at school compared to their least deprived counterparts
the Robertson Trust stating that 1 in 10 school leavers in the most deprived areas are unemployed after 9 months of completing their education compared to just 2.6% from the least deprived areas
P5 analysis
Poor education = major factor as more likely to work in lower skilled jobs and be unemployed so no reliable income compared to those with good education, more likely to live in poverty + can’t afford essentials
P6
However, some people argue that gender inequality is a bigger factor in causing wealth and income inequalities
P6 explain (key points)
Patriarchal gender stereotypes, women less likely to progress in career as take caring roles on
5c’s: cooking, cashiering, clerical work, childcare, cleaning (underpaid)
Gender pay gap 90p for every £1
Increases chances of living in poverty
P6 examples
Poverty in the U.K 2021-2022 the biggest factor for someone entering poverty was changing to a lone parent household
90% of all lone parent households are headed by women
P6 analysis
Gender inequality = more significant as paid less than men in all jobs, take on more caring responsibilities and underpaid jobs
More at risk than men for facing inequalities
P5 + P6 link
Overall, this shows that while both factors are huge in causing wealth + income inequalities, gender inequality is a bigger factor as more people are affected by gender inequality compared to poor education
Conclusion (key points)
All factors are big players in causing wealth inequalities
COLC = biggest factor]
Everyone impacted by it, made essentials needed for a long + healthy life more expensive + inaccessible
Placed those who weren’t experiencing poverty into poverty
All factors exist on an intersectionality
