Poverty in the UK | Speech | Engelsk

Innledning
Greetings, ladies and gentlemen. I am Amalie, a proud member of Manchester College's debate team, and I extend a warm welcome to the Oxford Schools Regional Debate Competition.

As you are aware, this year's theme revolves around the challenges faced by the UK, and today, I will be delivering a speech on the pressing issue of poverty in the country.

My presentation will cover the increasing poverty rates, different perspectives on poverty, and the potential consequences of the current austerity policies. Following my speech, I will gladly entertain any questions you may have. Let us begin.

Utdrag
Regarding attitudes towards poverty, there exist contrasting opinions on whether it is primarily the fault of individuals or a societal issue.

Some research suggests that the year-on-year reductions in welfare support are a significant reason for more families facing poverty6.

However, on the other hand, individuals like Philip Hammond seem to downplay poverty in Britain, believing it affects only a few struggling individuals7.

He proposes that if the economic system cannot distribute wealth fairly, it should undergo evolution8. Meanwhile, Professor Philip Alston warns that cuts in public services have led to tragic consequences9.

Blame for poverty can also be attributed to societal factors, given the structural differences related to social classes, such as location, gender, race, and immigration status.

For example, being a white male living in the north in a town/suburb increases the likelihood of becoming wealthy, while being an immigrant female from the south living in the city center increases the chances of ending up in the working class.

The UK government has faced criticism for its failure to ensure that the poorest families and children do not go hungry and fall through the gaps of the welfare state10.

An Australian professor contends that government policies have resulted in economic impoverishment for specific segments of the UK population, pushing more people into poverty11. So, the question remains: who should be held responsible?

In my view, the consequences of the current austerity policies are contributing to the increasing poverty, as poor individuals struggle to access the support they need.

A United Nations report also supports this claim, stating that austerity measures have led to an increase in poverty.