Topic Summaries

Responses and solutions to poverty

A-Level > Sociology > AQA > A Level Sociology Topic Summaries > Work, poverty, and welfare > Responses and solutions to poverty
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Exam overview
  • The Beveridge Report (1942) identified five giants: Want, Disease, Ignorance, Squalor, Idleness. This led to the development of the NHS, social security, and education reforms.
    • Reduced absolute poverty but relative poverty remains
  • New Labour – Blair/Brown: focused on welfare-to-work, introduced National Minimum Wage, Tax Credits, and Sure Start.
    • Improved child poverty rates but reliant on economic growth
  • Coalition/Conservative: introduced Universal Credit, benefit cap, sanctions, and austerity cuts.
    • Reduced spending but deepened hardship for vulnerable groups
  • Voluntary and informal welfare: the Trussell Trust (NGO) distributed almost 3 million emergency food parcels in 2022–2023.
    • Addresses urgent need but highlights failings of state welfare
  • Charities: (e.g. Shelter, Barnardo’s) provide housing, child welfare support.
    • Cannot replace structural policy changes; reactive, not proactive
  • Informal care: family and community provide childcare and financial aid.
    • Unevenly available and reinforces gender inequalities in unpaid labour.

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