We explore the link between perceptions of class and the reality of modern poverty and look at how attitudes to class have changed over the years.

Transcript -- Who's Middle Class now?

The language used to describe poverty in the UK has a vital bearing on how welfare policy is implemented, and how policies are perceived by the wider population. The strivers versus skivers debate has framed much of the Government's current discussion, and this is part of a process of demonisation of the working classes that has been evolving over the last 75 years. In addition, the stereotyping of class away from a purely economic definition has masked the obvious social divisions which are opening up. Owen Jones, the author of "Chavs: The Demonisation of the Working Class", and OU Senior Lecturer Gerry Mooney join Geoff Andrews of the OU in discussion.

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Transcript -- Who's Middle Class now?

Transcript -- Who's Middle Class now?

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