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Unlock This CourseGovernments around the world, particularly in the UK, have developed various strategies to tackle poverty. These responses reflect different political ideologies and approaches to social problems. Understanding how governments respond to poverty is crucial for evaluating their effectiveness in addressing this significant social issue.
Key Definitions:
Left-wing approach: Focuses on structural causes of poverty and supports strong welfare systems, believing poverty results from inequality in society.
Right-wing approach: Emphasises individual responsibility and limited welfare, believing excessive benefits create dependency and discourage work.
Centre approach: Combines elements of both, supporting welfare but with conditions to encourage employment and personal responsibility.
Universal benefits: Available to everyone regardless of income (e.g., NHS healthcare)
Means-tested benefits: Only available to those below certain income thresholds (e.g., Universal Credit)
Contributory benefits: Based on National Insurance contributions (e.g., State Pension)
Non-contributory benefits: Not dependent on previous contributions (e.g., Child Benefit)
The UK welfare system has evolved significantly since the creation of the welfare state after World War II. Today, it provides a safety net for those in poverty through various benefits and support mechanisms.
Introduced in 2013, Universal Credit combined six previous benefits into one monthly payment:
The system aims to simplify benefits and encourage work by gradually reducing payments as earnings increase rather than cutting them off completely. However, it has faced criticism for payment delays and the five-week waiting period for first payments, which has pushed some recipients into deeper poverty.
The Trussell Trust (a food bank charity) reported that food bank use increased by 52% in areas where Universal Credit had been fully implemented for 12 months, compared to 13% in areas where it hadn't been. This suggests that the transition to Universal Credit may have contributed to increased hardship for many vulnerable people. The government has made some adjustments in response to criticism, including reducing the waiting period for first payments.
The National Minimum Wage was introduced in the UK in 1999 to ensure workers receive a minimum level of pay. In 2016, the government introduced the National Living Wage for workers aged 25 and over (later changed to 23 and over), which is higher than the minimum wage.
The National Minimum Wage aims to reduce in-work poverty by ensuring employers pay a legal minimum hourly rate. As of April 2023, the rates are:
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary wage rate that some employers choose to pay. It's calculated based on what people need to live on, unlike the government's National Living Wage.
As of 2023, the Real Living Wage is:
Over 11,000 UK employers voluntarily pay this higher rate.
Housing costs are a major factor in poverty, particularly in high-cost areas like London and the South East. The government has implemented several policies to address housing-related poverty:
Financial support for those on low incomes to help pay rent. Now part of Universal Credit for most people.
Affordable housing provided by local authorities or housing associations at below-market rents.
Government schemes to help people buy homes, including equity loans and shared ownership options.
Despite these measures, the UK faces a housing crisis with insufficient affordable housing. The shortage of social housing has led to long waiting lists and private rents have risen faster than wages in many areas, contributing to in-work poverty.
Education is seen as a key route out of poverty, providing skills and qualifications that can lead to better-paid employment. Government education initiatives to tackle poverty include:
Introduced in 2011, this provides additional funding to schools for disadvantaged pupils. Schools receive extra money for pupils who:
Schools can decide how to spend this money to improve outcomes for disadvantaged pupils. Common uses include additional teaching staff, breakfast clubs and extra-curricular activities.
Provided to children from low-income families to ensure they receive at least one nutritious meal per day. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this was extended to cover school holidays after a campaign by footballer Marcus Rashford.
Research shows that free school meals improve concentration, behaviour and academic performance, potentially helping to break the cycle of poverty.
The 16-19 Bursary Fund helps young people from low-income backgrounds stay in education after 16. It can help with costs like transport, equipment and meals.
Apprenticeships combine work and study, allowing young people to earn while they learn. The government has promoted apprenticeships as a route into skilled employment for those who may not attend university.
Government responses to poverty have both strengths and limitations:
Despite being one of the world's wealthiest countries, the UK has significant child poverty. According to the Social Metrics Commission, 4.5 million children (around 33% of all children) were living in poverty in the UK in 2019-20. The Child Poverty Action Group argues that government policies, including the two-child limit on benefits and the benefit cap, have contributed to rising child poverty rates. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the situation, with many families experiencing income reductions and job losses.
Government responses to poverty reflect different political ideologies and approaches. While the UK welfare state provides significant support to those in poverty, debates continue about its effectiveness and the balance between supporting those in need and encouraging self-reliance. The success of government responses depends on many factors, including economic conditions, housing availability, education quality and the adequacy of welfare benefits. A comprehensive approach addressing multiple dimensions of poverty is likely to be most effective.