Starter:
Without looking back in your jotters, get ready to answer the following questions:
What is the difference between income and wealth?
How do we measure inequality?
Define the two different types of poverty we see in the UK
How much does a single person need to earn to reach an acceptable standard of living?
Starter:
Without looking back in your jotters, get ready to answer the following questions:
What is the difference between income and wealth?
How do we measure inequality?
Define the two different types of poverty we see in the UK
How much does a single person need to earn to reach an acceptable standard of living?
Social Inequalities in the UK
Higher Modern Studies
01
Causes of Wealth and Income Inequalities
02
Causes of Health Inequalities
03
Impact of Inequality on a Group
04
Individualist vs Collectivist Debate
05
Effectiveness of Government Responses
06
End of Unit Assessment
What will we be studying?
**Trigger Warning**
Social Inequalities is a very interesting and important topic for us to study. However, it is very important for us to to appraoch this topic sensitively. We will be discussing a lot of issues that can and may impact people in this room or someone that you know. This means we must be mature when discussing these topics.
You might not know that someone is being impacted by these issues as they impact a HUGE proportion of the UK population, and some people don’t want even their friends to know they or someone they know may be struggling. But please remember, it is okay to ask for or to receive help, and this room is a safe space for everyone free of judgement. As a result, anyone who I deem disrespectful or insensitive will be asked to leave. Additionally, if anyone is affected by any of the topics we discuss, please know you can talk to me and are free to leave the room at any point during these lessons.
Causes of Wealth and Income Inequalities
Learning Intentions and Success Criteria
As of 2024, there are estimated to be approximately 6000 people living on the streets in the UK. As you watch, answer the following questions:
What difficult choices do these people have to make?
How might this impact their physical health?
How might this impact their mental health?
Activity 1-
Create a mind-map on as many causes of poverty as you can think of. We will add to these shortly.
Poverty can be caused by a multitude of factors and can impact individuals and families in countless ways.
Answer the questions from your handout in your jotter as you watch.
Reasons why poverty exists
Investigating Poverty in the UK: Analysis
This is when you examine an argument, point or evidence and explain what the consequence of it might be. A helpful way to think about analysis is “what does this mean in the short, medium and long term?”. You could also consider what needs to be focused on / solutions that are relevant.
Investigating Poverty in the UK: Evaluation
This is when you make a comment that links back to the question that you have been asked to answer. When evaluating it is often a good idea to “do something with the figures”. For example, 80% would mean 4/5. Another way could be is if your exemplification was 5% vs 25% the evaluation would be that one number is 5x greater.
Investigating Poverty in the UK: Task
You are going to be given a handout that contains facts, evidence or statements about poverty in the UK. For each one, you are going to try and analyse and evaluate the information.
**The first few have been done already to help you.
Poverty in the UK
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is one of the most respected organisations working to better understand levels of poverty and its causes.
This is to help others including governments be better prepared to address this problem. They produce a report annually looking at poverty across the UK.
Task:
Analyse and Evaluate the JFR 2024 figures on the handout (pictured right)
22% of people are in poverty
29% of children are in poverty (4.2 million)
2.1 million pensioners are in poverty
Around 1 in 3 disabled people are in poverty
56% of working age people out of work are in poverty
Full time workers have a poverty rate of 10% compared to 20% of part time workers
Poverty rate of renters is between 35%-45% compared to homeowners (9%-15%)
Over 50% of people on the UK governments main poverty alleviation benefit are in poverty
The child poverty rate for Scotland is 24% compared to 31% in England
Factors That Make Someone More Likely to Experience Poverty
Poverty
Unemployment
Age
Disability
Low Pay
Gender
Caring Duties
Educational Attainment
Geography
Race
Darren McGarvey: Poverty Safari
Having grown up in Pollock, Darren McGarvey’s life has been shaped by his experiences living in the area as a child. He has multiple documentary series and released a book in 2017 about his experience. On the next slide I am going to read you a quote form his book. What cause of poverty do you think I am hinting at with this quote and what does he mean?
Darren McGarvey: Poverty Safari
“People like me don’t read books or so my head keeps telling me. Write a book it sneers over my shoulder; we haven’t read enough of them to even attempt such a thing. It’s true I am not a habitual reader of books although am a regular consumer of words. Since my school days how words look, sound and what they mean has been my primary interest. As a child I was keen to engage grown ups in conversation, always trying to collect new words to add to my growing vocabulary. I was told that by the age of 5 I was correcting my mother's terrible grammar, much to her annoyance. By the time I was 10 I was formulating my first short stories borrowing heavily as ones does from my main interests at the time- granny and batman. But I don’t remember reading any books. I do recall occasionally picking them up and flicking through a few pages or delving for a specific piece of information like the capital of Turkey which is not Istanbul. I don’t remember the moment so many people speak of when they finish the life-changing book that ignites their passion for reading. I do however retain vivid memories of struggling with books and being intimidated by their physical size and word count. Just the thought of a big book was enough to defeat me.”
Darren McGarvey: Poverty Safari
“People like me don’t read books or so my head keeps telling me. Write a book it sneers over my shoulder; we haven’t read enough of them to even attempt such a thing. It’s true I am not a habitual reader of books although am a regular consumer of words. Since my school days how words look, sound and what they mean has been my primary interest. As a child I was keen to engage grown ups in conversation, always trying to collect new words to add to my growing vocabulary. I was told that by the age of 5 I was correcting my mother's terrible grammar, much to her annoyance. By the time I was 10 I was formulating my first short stories borrowing heavily as ones does from my main interests at the time- granny and batman. But I don’t remember reading any books. I do recall occasionally picking them up and flicking through a few pages or delving for a specific piece of information like the capital of Turkey which is not Istanbul. I don’t remember the moment so many people speak of when they finish the life-changing book that ignites their passion for reading. I do however retain vivid memories of struggling with books and being intimidated by their physical size and word count. Just the thought of a big book was enough to defeat me.”
Education & Poverty
Scottish Poverty Rate 2024 - 21%
English Poverty Rate 2024 - 22%
Fees forEnglish Students
£9,250 per year
Fees for Scots in Scotland
£Free
Education & Poverty
Rebuttal: This makes access to education a key factor to consider but this might be harder for people in some parts of the UK
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.
For example, fees for English students are approximately £9,250 a year to go to university, whereas in Scotland, tuition fees are free of charge.
Analysis:
What does this show regarding education and poverty? This shows that…
Unemployment & Poverty
Full Time Workers
Part Time Workers
Unemployed Households
Unemployment Rate
Unemployment & Poverty
Rebuttal: Unemployment alone does not explain the UK’s rates of poverty.
If unemployment was the main cause of poverty then we would expect to see much smaller levels of poverty in the UK than we do but the reality is that in parts of the UK with higher levels of employment actually have higher levels of poverty.
For example, in July 2024, Newcastle – under- Lyme was the town with the best employment rate growth in the UK at 89.6% but 33.1% of people in the area are living in poverty.
Analysis: What does this suggest about the relationship between employment and poverty?
Low Pay & Poverty
Paid work is not, on its own, a guarantee of being free from poverty. Often after the cost of living is taken into account many low paid workers will have very little left to spend and many families are falling below the poverty line becoming “working poor” households.
Around two-thirds (64%) of working-age adults in poverty live in a household where at least one adult is in work. The in-work poverty rate for administration and support services was around 23% in 2022. This is also a sector of work where many people will be earning the UK government set, National Living Wage (NLW).
The fact that so many workers in this sector are in poverty suggests that the amount set by the government for the NLW is too low
Pay Growth in the 5 Parliaments since 2005 has been lower than the 13 parliaments between 1955 and 2005
Source: JRF
Low Pay & Poverty
Rebuttal: Low pay is very much a cause of poverty as the government set wages that are discriminatory against young people and do not pay enough.
Explanation: The National Minimum Wage (NMW) is for those of at least school leaving age. the National Living Wage (NLW) is for those aged 21 and over. The rates change on 1 April every year. It is set by the government.
Example: As of 1st April 2024, the UK Government’s NMW for school leavers between 16-20 is £6.40-£8.40. The governments NLW' is £11.44 for workers aged 21 and over.
Analysis: Sadly, the real living wage for 2024 is £12. What do this tell you about the wages set by the government?
Disability & Poverty
Disabled people face a higher risk of poverty and have done so for at least the past 20 years.
Additional costs associated with disability and ill health,
Barriers to work
More likely to rely on benefit payments as a source of income.
There are around 15 million disabled people in the UK.
That is around 24% of the population or nearly 1 in 4 people.
May need to buy specialist equipment to
Can have significant energy costs
Public transport can be inaccessible meaning there is not choice but to use more expensive taxis.
Overall the poverty rate for disabled people is 31% compared to 19% of people who are not disabled.
Working Age Adults Poverty Rate:
Disabled 36%
Not Disable 17%
Disability & Poverty
Rebuttal: Disability is very much a cause of poverty that is not being addressed enough.
Despite the prevalence of disability within the general population, disabled people experience more disadvantages compared to non-disabled people in key aspects of their life, such as wellbeing and employment.
Only now in March 2023 have the Local Government Association commissioned research to identify ways in which support offered from local authority social care services to people with lifelong disabilities is working and how this could be improved.
Analysis: Is disability as a cause of poverty being successfully tackled?
Family Type & Poverty
Levels of poverty differ between different family types.
Families with more children have faced a higher risk of poverty.
Families with children also face additional challenges with childcare which can both limit their ability to take part in well paid, flexible, high-quality work as well as having significant financial costs for childcare.
Most lone-parent households are headed by women who also bear the brunt of childcare responsibilities limiting their ability to work.
Increased risk of poverty experienced by children in lone-parent households.
Around 1 in 4 children in a coupled family live in poverty compared to almost 50% of children in a lone parent family.
Child Poverty in the UK:
Overall Child PR – 31%
Children in Couple Families – 25%
Children in Lone-parent Families
– 44%
Source:
JRF 2024
Family Type & Poverty
Rebuttal – Policies are needed that allow parents and families to choose the right balance of work and care for their family.
The UK needs a social security system that’s fit for the 21st century. Many countries with low child poverty rates pay universal child benefit for all children, recognising that this is a time when all families could use extra support.
For example, The median household income in the UK after tax and benefits is £38,100
Analysis:
What do the figures and examples tell you about the current situation for families and wealth?
Housing & Poverty
Housing costs are a major factor in determining whether people are pulled into poverty
The costs of housing is a key driver of poverty for renters in particular.
Those who own their home are likely to pay a monthly mortgage rate that is lower than the average cost of rent in their area.
Those who have a mortgage are also likely to have their housing costs fixed meaning as their wages go up, they can better afford their home.
In contrast, those living in rented accommodation are more likely to see their rent increase each year.
There is a major housing shortage in the UK meaning that there are fewer homes available to buy which is forcing more people to rent.
With fewer properties also being built in the UK the cost of renting those that exist has been increasing
Being a poorer renter will make it harder to save for a mortgage.
Housing & Poverty
Rebuttal – compared to other European countries, Britain has a backlog of millions of homes that are key to solving the nation’s housing crisis.
The UK’s chronic housing shortage is one of the biggest challenges the country faces. The demand for new homes each year and keeping housing costs affordable is an ongoing challenge for the government.
For example, In February 2023, the government aimed to build 300,000 news homes every year, but within 2023, less than 250,000 homes were built last year, the highest rate in a decade.
Analysis:
What does this suggest about poverty and housing?
Benefits & Poverty
Around half of families in the UK receive some form of financial support from the government.
The State Pension and Child Benefit are the most widely claimed benefits that people in the UK receive.
Factors such as disability and child care responsibilities can limit someone’s earning potential meaning support is needed.
Universal Credit is the largest benefit that is related to someone’s income.
Ultimately the decision on if benefits will be enough to help someone avoid poverty is up to the government of the day.
Since 2010 the UK has been governed by more individualistic governments who have reduced the value of benefits that are available to help people out of poverty.
In the last 10 years the percentage pf people in poverty on income related benefits such as Universal Credit has grown from 39% to 49%.
For the last decade people on Universal Credit have been 3x more likely to be in poverty than those not claiming any benefits.
Wealth & Income Inequalities
There are many causes of income and wealth inequality. Discuss.
Introduction:
Answer the question:
List the 3 factors you will discuss:
Line of Argument:
Introduction:
Some would argue that __________ or _______ are the factors most likely to cause wealth inequalities that lead to poverty while others argue that a _______________ is more likely to see someone suffer from poverty. Ultimately this response will argue that _____________ is the factor most likely to cause poverty of the three discussed.
Model PEEAREEAL:
Point: One cause of income and wealth inequality that is important to consider is an individual’s level of education.
Expansion: 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 profession. This is in contrast to those with lower levels of education who are more likely to be in poverty.
Exemplification: 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%.
Analysis: What this means is that those who fail to get a good quality education as a young person are much more likely to experience poverty throughout their lifetime and potentially so will their children.
Model PEEAREEAL:
Rebuttal/Continued Point: Therefore, access to education is a key factor to consider but this might be harder for people in some parts of the UK.
Expansion: 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.
Exemplification: For example, Scottish students do not have to pay tuition fees, yet in England which has a higher poverty rate than Scotland, students have tp pay tuition fees of £9,250 per year.
Model PEEAREEAL:
Analysis: This shows that in Scotland, those coming from poorer backgrounds have a greater chance of escaping poverty, reaching higher education with much fewer financial strains.
Link: Overall, having a higher education and greater academic attainment will reduce your overall chance of experiencing poverty. However, it is important to recognise that the access to higher education will greatly impact this as well, seen in the difference between poverty in Scotland and England which suggest with Scotland's easier access to university and therefore lower poverty rates, suggesting that there is a direct connection between education levels and poverty.
Conclusion:
Judgement: Is there a main cause?
Justify: Why are you correct?
Justify: Why the other two contribute to wealth inequality.
Conclusion:
As set out above, _________ and _________ are both factors which have a significant impact on the extent a person will experience poverty because______________________. However, ________________________ is proven to have the greatest impact, because ………
Learning Intentions and Success Criteria
If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in today’s lesson, the following organisations may be able to offer advice and support:
Citizen's Advice - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org/
Barnardo's - https://www.barnardos.org.uk/
Centrepoint - https://centrepoint.org.uk/
NHS - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/support-and-benefits-for-carers/help-for-young-carers/