welfare responses to poverty

Question 1

what is universal credit?

Answer 1

• single monthly payment combining six existing benefits, introduced to simplify the welfare system
  criticisms:
• Child Poverty Action Group: highlights problems with delays, harsh sanctions, and complex application processes
• Trussell Trust: reported 2.99 million food parcels distributed in 2022/23, an 81% increase linked partly to UC rollout issues

Question 2

what is welfare pluralism

Answer 2

• the provision of welfare services by a combination of state, private companies, voluntary organisations, and informal carers
• Baldock et al: emphasises the importance of voluntary and informal sectors alongside state welfare
• voluntary sector: shelter (housing), Trussell Trust (foodbanks), Mind (mental health support)
• informal sector: unpaid care from family members, often women

Question 3

how has the role of the voluntary sector changed

Answer 3

the voluntary sector has expanded its role in welfare provision, especially in response to austerity cuts reducing state welfare support
- growth of foodbanks (Trussell Trust), homeless charities (shelter), mental health organisations (Mind)
- these organisations fill gaps left by reduced public funding post-2010 conservative-led austerity policies
- the voluntary sector helps meet urgent needs but is often underfunded and reliant on donations