Tackling inequality in the UK is one of the biggest... Show more
Politics
Modern Studies
Humanities
SociologySign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
795
•
10 Dec 2025
•
How Governments Address Inequality: Higher Modern Studies Essay
Amy Neill
@amyneill
1 / 3
Winter Fuel Allowance - Protecting Our Elderly
Ever wondered how pensioners cope with soaring energy bills during freezing winters? The Winter Fuel Allowance gives people aged 65 and over between £100-£300 annually to help heat their homes during the coldest months.
This policy tackles a harsh reality - many elderly people face the impossible choice between heating and eating. In 2019-20, the government spent around £2 billion supporting over 11.4 million UK citizens. Age UK research shows this allowance has prevented approximately 12,000 deaths each year, proving its life-saving impact.
However, critics argue the policy wastes taxpayer money because it's universal - meaning wealthy pensioners receive the same payment as those struggling financially. With costs projected to keep rising, some question whether this £2 billion could be better spent on more targeted support.
Key Point: Despite the cost concerns, the Winter Fuel Allowance remains highly effective because it directly saves lives during the most dangerous months for elderly people.
Education Maintenance Allowance and National Minimum Wage
The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) pays students from low-income families £30 weekly for perfect attendance, helping teenagers stay in education rather than leaving for part-time work. If your parents earn £24,421 or less annually, you're eligible for this support that aims to break the poverty cycle.
Whilst over 29,000 teenagers received EMA in 2017/18, critics question its effectiveness. Many students attend purely for the money rather than genuine learning, and there's little evidence that EMA recipients perform better academically. The annual cost of £560 million in England alone raises questions about value for money.
The National Minimum Wage protects workers from exploitation by setting legal pay floors - currently £4.62 per hour for 16-17 year olds and £8.91 for over-25s (the National Living Wage). This prevents employers taking advantage of vulnerable workers in low-skilled jobs.
However, these rates haven't kept pace with the cost of living crisis, and age-based pay differences create their own form of inequality. Someone doing identical work shouldn't earn less simply because they're younger.
Key Point: Both policies help reduce exploitation and support disadvantaged groups, but they need updating to match modern living costs and address built-in inequalities.
Universal Credit - The Controversial Reform
Universal Credit merged six separate benefits into one monthly payment, designed to simplify the system and encourage people into work. The idea sounds brilliant in theory - create a benefit that's low enough to motivate job-seeking whilst providing essential support.
The statistics seem promising at first glance. Around 5.6 million working families have seen income increases, and unemployment hit historic lows before the pandemic. This suggests the "work pays" approach had some success in getting people off benefits and into employment.
But here's the harsh reality - poverty levels remain stubbornly high, and foodbank usage has increased since Universal Credit's introduction. Over half of families receiving Universal Credit still live in poverty, largely because many jobs simply don't pay enough to escape financial hardship.
The government made things worse by freezing benefit rates since 2015, effectively cutting their value by 10% as inflation eroded purchasing power. This means working families often struggle more than before, despite being employed.
Key Point: Universal Credit's fundamental flaw is assuming any job automatically lifts people out of poverty - but when wages are too low, employment alone isn't enough to tackle inequality.
Overall verdict: While each policy has merits, the Winter Fuel Allowance stands out as most effective because it directly addresses life-threatening situations, even if it's not perfectly targeted.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
Most popular content: Equality
Most popular content in Modern Studies
Most popular content
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
How Governments Address Inequality: Higher Modern Studies Essay
Amy Neill
@amyneill
Tackling inequality in the UK is one of the biggest challenges facing modern governments, with 14.2 million people currently living in poverty. The government has introduced several key policies including the Winter Fuel Allowance, Education Maintenance Allowance, National Minimum Wage,... Show more
Winter Fuel Allowance - Protecting Our Elderly
Ever wondered how pensioners cope with soaring energy bills during freezing winters? The Winter Fuel Allowance gives people aged 65 and over between £100-£300 annually to help heat their homes during the coldest months.
This policy tackles a harsh reality - many elderly people face the impossible choice between heating and eating. In 2019-20, the government spent around £2 billion supporting over 11.4 million UK citizens. Age UK research shows this allowance has prevented approximately 12,000 deaths each year, proving its life-saving impact.
However, critics argue the policy wastes taxpayer money because it's universal - meaning wealthy pensioners receive the same payment as those struggling financially. With costs projected to keep rising, some question whether this £2 billion could be better spent on more targeted support.
Key Point: Despite the cost concerns, the Winter Fuel Allowance remains highly effective because it directly saves lives during the most dangerous months for elderly people.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Education Maintenance Allowance and National Minimum Wage
The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) pays students from low-income families £30 weekly for perfect attendance, helping teenagers stay in education rather than leaving for part-time work. If your parents earn £24,421 or less annually, you're eligible for this support that aims to break the poverty cycle.
Whilst over 29,000 teenagers received EMA in 2017/18, critics question its effectiveness. Many students attend purely for the money rather than genuine learning, and there's little evidence that EMA recipients perform better academically. The annual cost of £560 million in England alone raises questions about value for money.
The National Minimum Wage protects workers from exploitation by setting legal pay floors - currently £4.62 per hour for 16-17 year olds and £8.91 for over-25s (the National Living Wage). This prevents employers taking advantage of vulnerable workers in low-skilled jobs.
However, these rates haven't kept pace with the cost of living crisis, and age-based pay differences create their own form of inequality. Someone doing identical work shouldn't earn less simply because they're younger.
Key Point: Both policies help reduce exploitation and support disadvantaged groups, but they need updating to match modern living costs and address built-in inequalities.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Universal Credit - The Controversial Reform
Universal Credit merged six separate benefits into one monthly payment, designed to simplify the system and encourage people into work. The idea sounds brilliant in theory - create a benefit that's low enough to motivate job-seeking whilst providing essential support.
The statistics seem promising at first glance. Around 5.6 million working families have seen income increases, and unemployment hit historic lows before the pandemic. This suggests the "work pays" approach had some success in getting people off benefits and into employment.
But here's the harsh reality - poverty levels remain stubbornly high, and foodbank usage has increased since Universal Credit's introduction. Over half of families receiving Universal Credit still live in poverty, largely because many jobs simply don't pay enough to escape financial hardship.
The government made things worse by freezing benefit rates since 2015, effectively cutting their value by 10% as inflation eroded purchasing power. This means working families often struggle more than before, despite being employed.
Key Point: Universal Credit's fundamental flaw is assuming any job automatically lifts people out of poverty - but when wages are too low, employment alone isn't enough to tackle inequality.
Overall verdict: While each policy has merits, the Winter Fuel Allowance stands out as most effective because it directly addresses life-threatening situations, even if it's not perfectly targeted.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
15
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Mock Exam
Quiz
Flashcards
Essay
Most popular content: Equality
Most popular content in Modern Studies
Most popular content
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user