Effectiveness of government responses to tackle inequalities

Q: What was the original aim of Universal Credit?

Point – Universal Credit replaced six benefits with one to make people more responsible.

Q: How was Universal Credit meant to help people out of poverty?

Explain – It was meant to help people find work and stop relying on benefits.

Q: What evidence supports the idea that Universal Credit helped reduce unemployment?

Example – Unemployment dropped to 4% in 2020 and 3.9% in March 2023 after Universal Credit.

Q: What does the low unemployment rate suggest about Universal Credit’s effectiveness?

Analysis – This suggests the policy helped people find work and rely less on benefits.

Q: What is a major criticism of how Universal Credit was rolled out?

Counter Point – The online-only system can exclude poorer or vulnerable people.

Q: Why is switching to a single monthly online payment a problem for many claimants?

Counter Explain – The 6-week wait and inflexibility lead to debt and difficulty affording essentials.

Q: What evidence shows that Universal Credit may have increased poverty?

Counter Example – Foodbank use up 70%, 46% of UC families in poverty, 4 million in destitution.

Q: What does this suggest about the overall impact of Universal Credit on poverty?

Counter Analysis – This shows Universal Credit worsened inequality, leaving charities to step in.

Q: What is the overall takeaway from both the successes and criticisms of Universal Credit?

Link – Universal Credit reduced unemployment but worsened poverty, showing a gap in results.

Q: What is the main goal of the Scottish Child Payment?

Point – The Scottish Child Payment gives £26.70 weekly to qualifying families.

Q: How does the Scottish Child Payment help families compared to UK government support?

Explain – It adds extra support to families, with no limit on the number of children.

Q: What evidence suggests the Scottish Child Payment has been successful?

Example – Scotland's child poverty rate is 24%, vs 31% in England, linked to the payment.

Q: What does the lower child poverty rate in Scotland suggest about the impact of the Scottish Child Payment?

Analysis – The payment reduces child poverty, showing targeted support works.

Q: What is a major criticism of the Scottish Child Payment’s effectiveness?

Counter Point – 24% of children in Scotland are still in poverty, showing the payment falls short.

Q: What needs to happen for the Scottish government to meet its child poverty reduction target?

Counter Explain – The payment may need to be £40 by 2025/26 to meet the target.

Q: What does the current state of the Scottish Child Payment suggest about its future effectiveness?

Counter Example – The payment may need a significant increase to reduce poverty and meet targets.

Q: What does this suggest about the Scottish government's efforts to reduce child poverty?

Counter Analysis – The policy needs more funding to meet its 2030 target.

Q: What is the overall takeaway from the Scottish Child Payment’s impact?

Link – The payment has reduced poverty but needs increasing to meet the 2030 target.

Q: What is the goal of Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP)?

Point – MUP sets a minimum price per unit to reduce alcohol consumption.

Q: How does Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) work?

Explain – MUP sets a 65p minimum price per unit to reduce consumption.

Q: What evidence shows that MUP has been successful?

Example – In 2023, MUP reduced alcohol-related deaths and admissions, especially in deprived areas.

Q: What does the decrease in alcohol-related deaths and hospital admissions suggest about MUP?

Analysis – The policy reduced alcohol harm, particularly in poorer areas.

is a major issue with MUP despite its successes?

Counter Point – Alcohol deaths in Scotland rose 25%, showing MUP hasn’t solved the issue.

Q: What needs to be done to improve MUP’s effectiveness?

Counter Explain – The price may need to go above 65p to reduce deaths.

Q: What does the high alcohol death rate in Scotland suggest about MUP?

🚫 Counter Example – Scotland’s alcohol deaths are higher than England’s, showing more action is needed.

Q: What does this suggest about the effectiveness of MUP in tackling alcohol-related harm?

🚫 Counter Analysis – MUP made progress, but high death rates show more action is needed.

Q: What is the overall takeaway from MUP’s impact?

Link – MUP reduced harm, but higher death rates show more measures are needed.

Q: What is the purpose of the National Living Wage (NLW)?

Point – The NLW sets a minimum wage for workers over 21.

Q: How does the National Living Wage work?

Explain – The NLW sets a minimum wage to help workers avoid poverty.

Q: How much is the National Living Wage set at in 2

Example - The 2024 National Living Wage for workers over 21 is £11.44/hour.

Q: What is the impact of the National Living Wage on ethnic minorities and women?

A: Analysis – It raised earnings for minorities and women, helping at-risk families.

Q: What is a criticism of the National Living Wage?

Counter Point - Younger workers earn less, leading to discrimination.

Q: How much better off could workers be if they were on the Real Living Wage instead?

Counter Explain – Workers could earn £1,000 more with the Real Living Wage.

Q: How has poverty changed in the UK despite the introduction of the NLW?

Counter Example – UK poverty is 22%, unchanged in 15 years despite the NLW.

Q: Why is the National Living Wage not seen as highly effective in reducing poverty?

A: Counter Analysis – The NLW hasn't reduced poverty; low pay persists.

Q: How effective has the National Living Wage been in tackling poverty?

A: Link – The NLW has had limited impact on poverty over 20 years.