Issues affecting inequality
Homelessness
Well-paid employment is one way out of poverty, yet it is difficult to find a job when there is no address to which an application can be sent.
It is not easy to prepare for an interview without space, facilities to wash and privacy. It is hard even to know if there are jobs available when day-to-day survival is the priority.
Homeless people, it could be said, don鈥檛 just experience relative poverty but in fact are far worse off living in absolute poverty.
Lack of social mobility
Social mobility is a term used to describe the way people can improve their position in society.
In theory, a good education or having any one of a range of skills, can see people improve their position and income. However, there is evidence from the Sutton Trust the UK has low levels of social mobility - people born in poverty are most likely to remain in poverty throughout their lives.
Gig economy
In recent years there has been an increase in employment (to about half a million people) in what has been called the 鈥榞ig economy鈥.
The gig economy is the phrase used to describe employment which is characterised as temporary with irregular hours. For some people working in the gig economy, in jobs such as drivers or delivery people, an irregular income can result in too small an income to make ends meet. However, this type of employment can offer individuals flexibility around working hours and days. This could benefit people who have obligations such as taking care of a family member, or full time education.
Cost of care
One major challenge individuals face in trying to take up paid employment is the cost of child care or the lack of support when looking after another person who requires care
To help families with children aged 2-4 years to take up paid employment, the Scottish Government increased the number of hours of government supported child care in 2021 to 1,140 hours (or 30 hours a week if taken during school term-time)