The Problem of Poverty in Their Respective Countries - Case Study Example

WRITE A SHORT ACADEMIC REPORT FOR AN AID AGENCY DISCUSSING DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS TO POVERTY IN URBAN AREAS. xxxxx :xxxxx School: xxxxx Course: xxxxx Due Date: xxxxx Word Count: 1200 Introduction The solutions for poverty solely depend on what is causing it. Therefore, they vary with respect to place and time. At this stage, though on a minor level, well developed countries like USA and Britain are also facing the problem of poverty in their respective countries. This means that citizens of urban areas are unable to attain all the necessities of life that majority of people are enjoying (World Poverty, a Look at Causes and Solution, 2010). It is not easy to solve it and a long history in the way of anti poverty has often resulted in a failure. However, a few successful actions can cut a large number of people that are living in poverty when it is compared to the rest of the society. Since middle-class is the backbone of a society, therefore poverty in the urban areas of United Kingdom cannot be ignored. There are many causes that lead to poverty. They include debts, low income, unemployment, and poor education. Reasons for poverty in Urban Area Low income: Low income household is defined if the income is less than 60% of the median UK household income, which means ₤112 for an independent adult after housing cost deduction (Maclnnes, 2009). In 2009 the people living on the low-income household is highest i.e. 13.4 million. Due to the low income of a couple or an independent individual there are number of problems that come in their way and all of them lead to poverty. Debt: The growing problem that is causing poverty is personal debt. This is due to the building up of the depths and increasing interest because of which the payable amount becomes harder. More than 50% of the individuals cannot pay their one or more bills. For this reason they become bank corrupt. The other form of debt is mortgage, though in past years its seriousness has been very low, however, now the rate of court’s possession is rising sharply (Maclnnes, 2009). Unemployment: In 2009 the portion of working adults was at it’s highest since 1997. In addition to this, 6% of the working population is not working but has a will to work. This means, about one out of eight of the working age of the population lacks a job and wants one (Maclnnes, 2009). The unemployment rate in United Kingdom is higher between the young adults when it is compared to adults over 25 year. Young people’s unemployment is the major cause of low income and deprivation. Poor Education: Education plays a vital role in the way of poverty. This is because poor education can often lead to low paid jobs or unemployment. In 2008, about 20% of the total children and 30% of the children in deprived schools do not attain minimum standard of English as well as Mathematics. This figure is equal to the average schools a decade ago. As a result, the students have not either scored less than 5 GCSEs of any grade or has not secured any GCSEs grades at all. Mutually, these figures are rated as the lowest grades in a last decade (Maclnnes, 2009). From 16-19 years old almost one out of eight children are not enrolled in education. In 2008, among 15-years olds, the ratio of boys was less in complete education as compared to girls; it is about 76% to 86%. Current Arrangements One of the way by which poverty can be cured is through an Aid Programme. The government of UK is running programmes like free school meal in which the poor students are provided with meal in the schools (World Poverty, a Look at Causes and Solution, 2010). Under this programme it is expected that more than 30,000 children are eating healthy lunches at school. To keep check, a two year government pilot will investigate whether the scheme of free meal improves the diet and concentration level of the children in the class. This scheme is applicable to all the pupils irrespective to the income of their parents. (Rose, 2010) The other program that will reduce the poverty in Britain is to shift the poor people on the internet. 10 million population of the Britain has never been on the internet if they get access; they can save about 270 to 560 pounds annually (Rice, 2009). Thus this can raise their standards of living, since internet can provide more accessibility to the jobs and it can reduce the expenditure by introducing online banking and shopping. Efforts for the year 2010 In a long run for the solution of poverty, the government of UK has designed a series of activities. One of the activities that can take place on the national level is raising the awareness of the causes and the consequences of poverty. The locals should be aware of the tactics and the policies designed by the government for this issue. Its solution must be delivered by the help of actors, and trade unions etc. Voluntary and community organizations along with the people who are experiencing poverty should accompany them for the representation at a national, regional as well as local level. (European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, 2010) Other than this there would be bid programmes by the stakeholders on national and regional levels. Other regional activities include a series of workshops and seminars to review what is working and what is not. Activities that boost up the confidence of the young children and people so that they can give voice to their ideas and experiences would also be introduced (European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, 2010). The government of UK is introducing a website dedicated to the opportunities that are afforded by the new technology and internet for the contributions of the achievements of 2010’s objectives. The aim of the website is to publicise the programmes and make people aware about the opportunities to become involved. It will also be used as a host from where downloadable resources like event management tool kit, grant application form as well as conference booking forms can be downloaded. The site includes links to other organizations and activities including the European Union institutions. It can also be used for the promotion of the voice of people that are experiencing poverty as well as the participation of the actors (European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, 2010). Conclusion In richer countries, the majority of people prefer to have poor minority as it can aid them to hire poor workers on the lowest possible wages. On the other hand, this poor minority can increase the involvement in social fractures which can worsen the crime rate. However, to curb this problem the government has introduced improved minimum wage law and welfare systems for 2009; the minimum legal wage varies from ₤200 a month to ₤1200 a month (World Poverty, a Look at Causes and Solution, 2010). In order to limit the poverty for the urban areas of UK, government should improve the quality of education and introduce opportunities and incentives for them. Once the government or other private agencies have successfully introduced higher education for the students then the other problems of unemployment, low income, and debt would be settled down automatically one after the other. REFERENCES European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. (2010) UK National Programme. http.:HYPERLINK "http://www.2010againstpoverty.eu/?langid=en"//www.2010againstpoverty.eu/?langid=en Maclnnes, T. Anushree. P and Kenway. P (2009).Monitoring poverty and social exclusion 2009. http://www.poverty.org.uk/reports/mpse%202009%20findings.pdf World Poverty, a Look at Causes and Solution. (2010). Solutions to World and Poverty, a look at the basic answers. http://world-poverty.org/solutionstopoverty.aspx Rose. T, (2010). Free School Meals For All Go On trial In London Borough. London Evening Standard, http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23739694-free-school-meals-for-all-go-on-trial-in-london-borough.do Rice, K. (2009) “Internet: The Solution for Poverty” http://www.business-computer-blog.co.uk/50226711/internet_the_solution_for_poverty.php Read More