Capital and the determinants of poverty and social exclusion

Types of capital which determine the ability of individuals, of communities and of nations to avoid poverty and social exclusion are analysed. This analysis draws on changing explanations of economic growth and the recent literature on social capital. Five forms of capital are distinguished ¿ financial capital, physical capital, human capital, public infrastructure and social capital ¿ and their inter-relationships are discussed. The theoretical and policy implications of the different forms of capital are considered

Poverty and Inequality and Social Policy in China

Despite prolonged economic growth, poverty has become a more notable and noted feature of Chinese society. The paper examines three phases of development since the foundation of the People's Republic: the central planning era (1949 -1978); the pro-urban growth model (1978 - 1999); and more recent changes (1999 - 2004). For each phase the nature of the economic and social policies are described and the effects on poverty and inequality are examined. The limitations of a social policy that is subservient to the economic strategy are considered. The alternative of a model of social development based on the livelihood approach is analysed and its potential to reduce poverty and inequality are considered.poverty, inequality, social policy, China, livelihoods, social development

Changing Poverty Post-1997

The paper analyses changes in poverty in Britain since 1997. A poverty level of 60 percent of median equivalised income is used. The first part examines the changes that occurred between 1996/7 and 2000/1 as shown by the Family Resources Survey, on which government estimates of Households Below Average Income are based. There was a small reduction in poverty overall and a larger proportionate fall in child poverty. This fall was attributable in part to increased employment and in part to changes in benefits and tax credits which increased for some, particularly for families on low earnings with children, but fell relative to median incomes for many of those without children and not in employment. The second part assesses policy changes implemented or announced for the period 2000/1 to 2003/4 by means of a micro-simulation model, POLIMOD, using a sample from the Family Resources Survey. The impact of policy changes is to reduce poverty compared to its prospects under previous policies. But, relative to a poverty level that rises in real terms in step with median incomes, future reductions in poverty are likely to be small. In order to keep on track towards the goal of halving child poverty by 2010, further policy measures will be required.poverty, welfare policy

How Effective is the British Governments Attempt to Reduce Child Poverty?

The new Labour Government in Britain has made the reduction of child poverty one of its central objectives. This paper describes the specific initiatives involved in Labour's approach and weighs them up in terms of their potential impact. After setting out the extent of the problem of child poverty, the causes are discussed and Britain's problem is set in international perspective. The impact on child poverty of policies designed to raise incomes directly is analysed using micro-simulation modelling. A major emphasis of current policy is on the promotion of paid work, and we explore the potential for poverty reduction of increasing the employment of parents. We find that at its maximum, increasing paid work could roughly double the reduction in child poverty achieved by tax and benefit policies alone - a combined decrease of 1.85 million children in poverty. However, a more realistic forecast of increases in parental employment suggests that the number of children in poverty may be reduced by 1 million by 2002. The policies that address long-term disadvantage are also discussed and finally the whole programme is assessed and future strategy is considered.Child poverty, tax and benefit policy, welfare-to-work

Understanding social exclusion

This CASEbrief summarises 'Understanding Social Exclusion' edited by John Hills, Julian Le Grand and David Piachaud, published by Oxford University Pres

A think piece on intergenerational equity

Intergenerational equity (fairness in the relationship between generations) is a term used in many ways for many different purposes. For this reason, the project team decided to explore this concept in more detail and commissioned a think piece. The attached document describes and reviews different concepts of IGE, examines intergenerational relationships within families and the relation between paid and unpaid work, and finally draws conclusions for the future work of the Equality and Human Rights Commission and Age Concern and Help the Aged

Social security: past, present and future

Over the past century, social security in advanced economies has been transformed, and in this paper the history of its growth and some of the causes are reviewed. Yet poverty has not ended and many question the future of social security. Four systems of social security are discussed: social assistance, social insurance, targeted universal benefits and universal basic income. Possible reforms and steps to promote the survival of social security as a core element of a just and civilised society are proposed