GCSE Economics. AQA Brief

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Annis Cain
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1 GCSE Economics AQA Brief Title Poverty : disparities in living standards and the ethical issues that arise from the implications of choice for society. 1

2 Overview of Key Issue 1 This project will assess your skills to research, describe, analyse and evaluate the issues of poverty in the UK. You should restrict your study to the past five years. You may use a variety of data (both statistical and non-statistical) in your research. Aim of project To understand poverty in the UK and the ethical issues linked with poverty. Initial Research and article reviews The following links are articles, videos and audios related to poverty. After viewing the videos and listening to the audios, you will need to summarise the main points discussed and include them in your project. For the articles, you will need to print them; summarise and include them as well. You may research for any other relevant articles and reviews. Measuring poverty in the UK: Child poverty in the UK: Poverty target will not be met by 2020 / Child poverty falls as household income drops Youth unemployment and poverty: Why poverty persists: The widening income gap in the UK: Falling real incomes: Income fall biggest since General Resources Joseph Rowntree Foundation: Christian Aid: Barnardo s: End Child Poverty: The Poverty Alliance: Shelter: Economics and Business Education Association teaching resources: Tutor2u revision presentations and notes, blogs, quizzes, etc: Bized notes, definitions and lessons: 2

Initial Research and article reviews The following links are articles, videos and audios related to poverty.

3 Structure of Project Issues for investigation 1 Definition of standard of living 2 Measurement of standard of living 3 Meaning and types of poverty Amplification (1) Students should provide brief understanding of standard of living. (2) Students should understand how living standards are measured: GDP per capita Household income and wealth Level of education Standard of health (3 ) Students should explain the meaning and types of poverty Poverty Absolute poverty Relative poverty 4 Causes of poverty (4 ) Students should explain some of the main causes of poverty : Unemployment Lack of qualifications Illness Age Debt Lack of information Government policy Any other valid answers 5 Effects of poverty (5) Students should explain the effects of poverty on: Individuals (Poor educational attainment, joblessness, poor physical and mental health) Groups (Inequality) Society ( Social problems, standard of living) 6 Possible solutions to poverty (6) Students should analyse the solutions and their advantages and disadvantages: Change in tax and benefit system to favour low incomes National minimum wage Improved education and training Any other solutions 7 Ethical considerations (7) Students should be aware of the ethical considerations regarding the choice of solutions: What level of relative poverty is acceptable Possibility of encouraging joblessness through granting of benefits. Any other valid considerations. 3

(2) Students should understand how living standards are measured: GDP per capita Household income and wealth Level of education Standard of health (3 ) Students should explain the meaning and types

4 Assessment 1. State and explain two possible causes of poverty in the UK. (4 marks) 2. Explain two possible effects on the UK economy of a large number of people in the UK living in poverty. (6 marks) 3. Discuss two different methods of reducing income inequality, and recommend which one of these methods would be most effective in a developed country. (12 marks) 4

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Child Poverty in Scotland

Child Poverty in Scotland Executive Summary: 1) In Scotland today, nearly a quarter of all children are living in poverty. This is a shameful statistic for the fourth richest country in the world. While