Unemployment in Merthyr

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2 Merthyr Tydfil sisters evaluate the effects of government cuts in benefits on the town.

Introduction to Merthyr Tydfil - a town with a high proportion of the population unemployed and on benefits. 2 sisters are making a video in order to study the situation in the town, with the intention of looking at the reasons behind the high proportion of the town's population on benefits and to evaluate the effects of proposed government changes to the benefit system on the unemployed population.
From: Week in Week Out - Message from Merthyr
First Broadcast : 22 February 2011

Teachers' notes

Age Group : 14-16,16+

Subject : Sociology

Topic : Community and culture, Post industrial commmunity

Keywords : Inequalities, Poverty, Deprivation, Welfare state, Unemployment, Life chances, Merthyr Tydfil

Notes : DISCUSSION • What is the opinion of the film makers on unemployment in Merthyr? Does the class agree? Why? • What is the effect of unemployment on the individual? FURTHER WORK • Investigate the latest figures on unemployment in Merthyr. • Create a budget to live on £124 per week ( benefit rates at the time of filming) • Collect statistics to compare Merthyr with another area in Wales. Compare the situation relating to eduaction and health. REVISION • How does the New Right view deprivation? • Use examples to to explain the meaning of comparative poverty.

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