Poverty is a problem as old as mankind and has always haunted parts of society in various forms. The fact that we have entered the 21stcentury is a clear reason to assume that poverty has been successfully defeated to the greatest possible extent and is only to be found in individual cases. However, the opposite is true and contrary to what one might expect poverty is not only an issue in developing countries. Industrial nations also struggle with increasing poverty and a continuously widening gap between rich and poor1. The problem is particularly evident in large cities. This paper examines the extent of poverty in London today. The first section outlines the essentials of poverty in general and its causes. Focussing on main reasons and consequences, the second section provides details about the different faces of poverty in London. This section is mainly based on comprehensive information about poverty provided in a report published by the Mayor of London in 2002. Unless otherwise noted, all figures provided in the second section refer to values after housing costs are taken into account. The third section of this paper describes the government’s future plans to tackle poverty and gives information about countermeasures that have already been implemented. The concluding section considers current achievements and the possible future development of poverty in the capital.
Table of Contents
- 0 Introduction
- 1 Definition and General Causes of Poverty
- 2 Poverty in London
- 2.1 Employment
- 2.1.1 Unemployment Among Women
- 2.1.2 Unemployment Among Ethnic Minority Groups
- 2.2 Earnings
- 2.2.1 Demand for Higher-Skilled Employment
- 2.2.2 Gender Pay Gap
- 2.2.3 Earnings for Ethnic Minority Groups
- 2.3 Education
- 2.3.1 Educational Achievement Among Ethnic Minorities
- 2.3.2 Truancy and Exclusions
- 2.4 Housing Costs
- 2.4.1 The Real Estate Market
- 2.4.2 The Impact of Housing Costs on Poverty
- 2.5 Child Poverty
- 2.5.1 Child Poverty Among Workless Families
- 2.5.2 Child Poverty Among Ethnic Minorities
- 2.6 Crime
- 2.6.1 Home Contents Insurance
- 2.1 Employment
- 3 Plans and Measures to Defeat Poverty
- 4 Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze the extent of poverty in London, focusing on its causes and consequences. It examines the issue through the lens of data presented in a 2002 report by the Mayor of London, comparing London's poverty rates to national averages. The paper also explores governmental plans and implemented countermeasures to combat poverty in the city.
- The definition and causes of poverty in general.
- The multifaceted nature of poverty in London, including employment, earnings, education, and housing costs.
- Disparities in poverty rates between Inner and Outer London and across different demographic groups.
- The impact of poverty on children.
- Governmental strategies for poverty reduction in London.
Chapter Summaries
0 Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by establishing the persistent nature of poverty despite societal advancements. It highlights the prevalence of poverty even in developed nations like the UK, focusing on the pronounced issue in large cities such as London. The chapter outlines the paper's structure, emphasizing the use of a 2002 report by the Mayor of London as a primary source for data on London's poverty.
1 Definition and General Causes of Poverty: This chapter tackles the ambiguous nature of defining poverty, acknowledging the lack of a universal definition due to varying societal conditions worldwide. It differentiates between relative and absolute poverty, providing examples and explaining how poverty can stem from both individual behaviors and broader societal factors such as wars, political structures, economic disparities, and lack of education. The chapter notes that vulnerable populations, including the disabled, elderly, single parents, children, and marginalized groups, are disproportionately affected.
2 Poverty in London: This chapter delves into the complex reality of poverty in London, contrasting the city's vibrant image with the stark reality of widespread deprivation. It utilizes statistics from the 2000 and 2002 reports by the Department for Work and Pensions to showcase the high rates of income poverty across various demographics, emphasizing significant disparities between Inner and Outer London. The chapter further highlights the 2002 "London Divided" report, a key source that analyzes the interconnections between poverty, income distribution, housing costs, education, and employment structures.
Keywords
Poverty, London, income poverty, child poverty, employment, earnings, education, housing costs, ethnic minorities, gender inequality, government policies, social inequality, deprivation, Inner London, Outer London.
London Poverty Report: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of this report?
This report analyzes the extent of poverty in London, focusing on its causes and consequences. It uses data from a 2002 report by the Mayor of London, comparing London's poverty rates to national averages and exploring governmental plans to combat poverty.
What topics are covered in the report?
The report covers a wide range of topics related to poverty in London. These include: the definition and general causes of poverty; employment and earnings, including gender and ethnic minority disparities; education and its impact on poverty; housing costs and their influence on poverty; child poverty; and governmental plans and measures to address poverty.
What is the structure of the report?
The report is structured into chapters: an introduction; a chapter defining poverty and its general causes; a detailed chapter on poverty in London, broken down by employment, earnings, education, housing costs, and child poverty; a chapter on plans and measures to combat poverty; and a conclusion.
What data sources are used in the report?
The primary data source is a 2002 report by the Mayor of London. Additional data is drawn from 2000 and 2002 reports by the Department for Work and Pensions and the "London Divided" report (2002).
What are the key themes explored in the report?
Key themes include the multifaceted nature of poverty in London, disparities in poverty rates across demographic groups (including ethnic minorities and women), the impact of poverty on children, and the effectiveness of governmental strategies for poverty reduction.
How does the report define poverty?
The report acknowledges the difficulty of defining poverty universally, differentiating between relative and absolute poverty and recognizing that poverty can stem from individual factors and broader societal issues.
What are some of the specific issues explored regarding poverty in London?
The report delves into specific issues such as unemployment among women and ethnic minority groups; the gender pay gap; educational achievement among ethnic minorities; the impact of housing costs on poverty; and child poverty among workless families and ethnic minorities. It also examines the real estate market and its influence on housing affordability.
What are the key findings regarding poverty in London?
The report highlights high rates of income poverty across various demographics in London, emphasizing significant disparities between Inner and Outer London. It showcases the interconnectedness of poverty with income distribution, housing costs, education, and employment structures.
What are the key words associated with this report?
Key words include: Poverty, London, income poverty, child poverty, employment, earnings, education, housing costs, ethnic minorities, gender inequality, government policies, social inequality, deprivation, Inner London, Outer London.
What is the overall conclusion of the report?
While the report doesn't explicitly state a singular overall conclusion in the provided summary, it strongly implies a persistent and complex poverty situation in London requiring multifaceted governmental interventions.
- Quote paper
- Andrea Hoffmann (Author), 2006, Poverty in London, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/58880
