Citizenship Theme A - Population, Respect and Identity

POPULATION

Changing Population:

Age = Ageing population. Reasons could include improved healthcare, better nutrition and standard of living. 4 possible impacts:

• Increased demands on NHS
• Higher cost of social care
• Increase in age-related conditions e.g. dementia
• Raised cost of pensions for longer time periods

Ethnicity = UK has become more diverse. Growth in dual heritage and multiple identities. Gov holds a census every 10 years to find out what changes are taking place. Between 2001 and 2011 census showed decrease in White people however this is still over 80%, and an incrase in multipl ethnic groups.

Religiton = 2001 to 2011 census results show that there is a decrease in Christians, though it is still a majority, and an increase in Muslims as the second largest religious group. Other main religions and growing too and also an increase of people with no religion. This also varies in regions with London being the most diverse.

Disability = over 11m people live with disabilities and many require benefits or social care. it can increase with age rising to over 45% in those over retirment age. Laws e.g. Equality Act 2010 protect disabled from discrimination.

Changes on Wealth = Changing composition of UK impacts onthe distribution of wealth and the rich-poor divide. There are incrase in benefit sanctions and laws e.g. bedroom tax which have raised poverty levels. Increases in demand for charities to meet needs of citizens e.g. food bank.

Migration:

Push factors = War/conflict, natural disaster, religous or ethnic discrimination, political persecution or opression, human rights abuse.

Pull factors = Economic and work oppurtunities, better standard of living, culture respect and tolerance, political stability and freedoms, protection of HR.

Migrants coming to UK = 

• Economic Migrant = people who move to another country for work/economic oppurtunities including workers that UK needs.
• Asylum Seekers = leave country of origin due to fear of being persecuted, formally applied for asylum but the application is yet to be concluded
• Refugees = People who fled due to fear of persecution for reasons .e.g race religion etc. They are outside their country. 

UK has signed to Refugee Convention 1951 meaning it must protect refugees, and is obliged by law to protect asylum seekers and refugees. Also by HR Act 1998 UK must recognise and protect human rights.

Migration pros and cons:

• Economic migrants help economy grow through work, tax, shopping and rent.
• Migrants may have special skills in shortage areas e.g. doctor /teachers
• Diversity, tolerance and respect is enhanced through sharing cultures
• Population growth makes demands and pressure on housing, education, NHS and may increase unemployment
• Rates of pay may reduce if economic migrants work for lower wages
• Challenges could cause tension and increase support for extreme groups

Sources of Migration:

Commonwealth= Key source for migrants to UK, many prefer UK because:

• Migrants from same countries are arleady resident so its familiar
• Share elements of…