Key Quotes - Social Issues

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Last update: Wednesday 25th March




A new class described as the "forgotten poor" - working age adults with no children - is on the increase in Britain, a report to be published today says. More than 3.9 million childless adults live below the poverty line - 300,000 more than when Labour came to power in 1997. While poverty among children and pensioners has declined, rising numbers of single adults are blighted by low pay, homelessness and poor health..The report found that last year 12.4 million people were living in low-income households (defined as 60% of median income), compared with 14 million eight years ago. About 200,000 households were accepted as homeless by their local authority in 2003, a rise of 25% on 2000; two thirds involved childless people.
Social Issues	The Independent – 1st December 2004



Women having cars serviced and repaired feel intimidated and patronised when dealing with garages, research out today showed. Almost half of all motorists do not trust a garage to charge an honest price, according to new research released by the car care company motoreasy. Around one out of six motorists have felt pressurised to have work carried out on their car. A further 10% admitted that they had been forced to pay for work they have not approved.
Social Issues	The Sentinel – 25th November 2004



Two thirds of white people in Britain admit they are prejudiced against at least one minority group, with Gypsies and asylum seekers the main targets, according to an authoritative study. The damning report identifies five types of bigotry displayed by whites, ranging from outright aggression to more subtle forms of prejudice that undermine attempts to make Britain an inclusive society.
Social Issues	The Independent on Sunday - 14th November 2004



A government survey published last year showed that 33% of young people aged 11 to 14 go to school afraid they might be bullied. Bullying might only be calling names (66% of the time), but it frequently includes physical acts of violence (49%), and verbal or written threats (27%).
Social Issues	Prophecy Today - November / December 2004



Figures produced by the Scottish Churches Housing Action Group show that the total homeless applications to local authorities was 50,917 in the year 2002-03. Of these numbers some 12,608 came from the Glasgow area, which is almost one for every 22 households in the city.
Social Issues	Scottish Catholic Observer - 29th October 2004



The number of homeless in Stoke-on-Trent has trebled from 760 to 2,100 in just three years.
Social Issues	Sentinel Sunday – 24 October 2004



According to the latest Home Office figures, 90 million people arrived at British ports last year. In 2002 the UK's net population gain through immigration was 153,400 people -up by about 15,000 since 1998.
Social Issues	The Independent – 9 October 2004



According to a new study, the numbers of asexual people could be approaching those of declared gay men and lesbians, and they are demanding that the world recognizes them in the same way. Drawing on a 1994 survey of 16,000 adults in the UK, Dr Antony Bogaert found that 1% said they had never felt sexually attracted to anyone. Double that number have never had sex. The figure was not far behind the 3% who reported feeling same-sex attraction. But the true number of asexuals may be far higher.
Social Issues	The Independent – 14 October 2004



The following statistics are related to the pensions "crisis" which has been reported in the news this week: The Government has identified a £57 billion gap between how much people are saving and how much they need to ensure a comfortable retirement. Individually, there is a £70,000 gap between how much people think they need to save for retirement and the reality. There are 1 million UK pensioners living below the poverty line. There are 13 million British people not saving enough to provide a secure retirement, almost ½ the working population. 12% of your earnings should be put aside of you start saving for your pension at the age of 25. 22% of your savings need to be put aside each month if you don't start saving for your pension until 40 years old. Adults under 30 spend 24% of their earnings on restaurants, hotels, recreation, alcohol and tobacco. The UK government spend 5% of the GDP on pensions. Other EU governments spend an average of 11% of GDP on pensions. 18% of the UK population is currently over the pensionable age. It is predicted that 25% of the population will be over the pensionable age by 2040. 60% of Britons are working to pay the pensions of the 21% who have retired. It is calculated that 56% of Britons will be working in 2030 to pay the pensions of the 27% retired. A non-smoking female needs to have saved £110,000 at age 65 to buy a retirement income of £100 a week. A non-smoking male needs to have saved £500,000 to provide an inflation-proof annual income of £20,000. The average pension pot at retirement age is just £30,000, buying an income of £30 a week. In 1978, people were living an average of 15 years beyond the pensionable age of 65. Today, people live an average of 18 years beyond 65, and it is calculated that in 2030, people will live to an average age of 86, 21 years beyond the pensionable age.
Social Issues	The Independent – 12 October 2004



Italy's European commissioner-designate, Rocco Buttiglione, faced a formal call from MEPs for his resignation yesterday over the description of homosexuality as a "sin". The furore arose after a confirmation hearing in the European Parliament last week in which Mr Buttiglione, who is a close friend of Pope John Paul II, said: "I may think that homosexuality is a sin; this has no effect on politics unless I say that homosexuality is a crime." He added, "The rights of homosexuals should be defended on the same basis as the rights of all other European citizens. I would not accept the idea that homosexuals are a category apart." At the same event he defended the traditional heterosexual marriage with men in the role of protector of women.
Social Issues	The Independent – 12 October 2004



A funded report estimates the number of dependent older people is set to grow by 113% from about 3 million in 2000 to 6.4 million in 2051.
Social Issues	Third Sector - 15th September 2004



Mark Rimmer, the director of registrars in the north London borough of Brent, said that as many as 10,000 to 12,000 bogus marriages were believed to take place for immigration purposes in the UK each year. About 8,000 of those happened in London - one in five of all the weddings in the city.
Social Issues	The Independent - 23rd September 2004



Men (81%) are more likely than women (76%) to regard Britain as a tolerant country. Asian people are most likely (71%) to say that Britain is a united country. 58% of white people say this, and only 38% of black people. Young white adults are more likely to think that all races are equally trustworthy (85%) compared with 75% of Asians and 77% of blacks. Those still in full time education are more likely to view immigration as good for the economy and society (63%) than those in employment (51%) or unemployed (49%).
Social Issues	The Times - 14th September 2004



The younger you are the less likely it is you trust the police: 38% of 18 to 20 year-olds trust the police alot compared with 49% of 28 to 30 year-olds. 46% of white people trust the police a lot compared with just 28% of black people and 25% of Asians. While 80% of young Britons are proud to be British only 60% believe it is a united country. 34% believe that Britain is a racist country. This rises to 59% among blacks but only 21% of Asians think the same. A third of young people think that Britain is stuck in the past.
Social Issues	The Times - 13th September 2004



31% of all 18 to 30 year-olds have parents who are separated or divorced. 67% say a woman has an absolute right to have an abortion - no matter what the reasons. 48% say that scientific testing on animals is wrong under any circumstances.
Social Issues	The Times - 13th September 2004

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