Should I argue controversial opinions in PPE Personal Statement?
Hi, I am writing my PPE Personal Statement and plan on applying to Oxford, LSE, UCL, Edinburgh, and perhaps St. Andrews.
In a body paragraph, I respond to a book by Ed Miliband which argues for greater social housing and welfare. I argue that we should not keep building more social houses and providing more welfare because it continues to trap people born into "council house" areas in Glasgow in low expectations and state-dependence. Instead I state that we should do everything we can do get everyone who can work in work and young people born into poverty into apprenticeships and higher education.
I recognise that this is a controversial opinion and certainly not a popular one in Scotland. Would expressing a view like this put me at any possible disadvantage should the admissions team disagree strongly?
In a body paragraph, I respond to a book by Ed Miliband which argues for greater social housing and welfare. I argue that we should not keep building more social houses and providing more welfare because it continues to trap people born into "council house" areas in Glasgow in low expectations and state-dependence. Instead I state that we should do everything we can do get everyone who can work in work and young people born into poverty into apprenticeships and higher education.
I recognise that this is a controversial opinion and certainly not a popular one in Scotland. Would expressing a view like this put me at any possible disadvantage should the admissions team disagree strongly?
Your PS is an essay about YOU and your interests it isn’t an essay about social housing and welfare.
Original post by PQ
Your PS is an essay about YOU and your interests it isn’t an essay about social housing and welfare.
I am confused since others have said I should express opinions and views on the books I've read.
You need to demonstrate that you’re reading and thinking critically outside of your regular academics, but it’s not an opportunity to write a full blown essay.
Yes, you can absolutely express an opinion about Milliband’s position, and maybe tie it into some common area of study at undergrad, but don’t get drawn into some lengthy hypothetical debate. The PS is about demonstrating your suitability and motivation for the subject at hand.
Yes, you can absolutely express an opinion about Milliband’s position, and maybe tie it into some common area of study at undergrad, but don’t get drawn into some lengthy hypothetical debate. The PS is about demonstrating your suitability and motivation for the subject at hand.
Just my take, but the fact that's its a kind of a naive opinion might not help - social housing & the benefits system isn't just for the long term unemployed, this support is needed by the workforce, people unfit for work & retired people also.
The DWP already make huge efforts to get people into work, there just isn't a corresponding effort to make living affordable. I moved out of my Glasgow flat just over a year ago which cost £425 a month, now with a lick of paint they want £850 out of sheer greed, having a wage to throw away isn't the answer, you need affordable housing with controlled rents.
The DWP already make huge efforts to get people into work, there just isn't a corresponding effort to make living affordable. I moved out of my Glasgow flat just over a year ago which cost £425 a month, now with a lick of paint they want £850 out of sheer greed, having a wage to throw away isn't the answer, you need affordable housing with controlled rents.
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by StriderHort
Just my take, but the fact that's its a kind of a naive opinion might not help - social housing & the benefits system isn't just for the long term unemployed, this support is needed by the workforce, people unfit for work & retired people also.
The DWP already make huge efforts to get people into work, there just isn't a corresponding effort to make living affordable. I moved out of my Glasgow flat just over a year ago which cost £425 a month, now with a lick of paint they want £850 out of sheer greed, having a wage to throw away isn't the answer, you need affordable housing with controlled rents.
The DWP already make huge efforts to get people into work, there just isn't a corresponding effort to make living affordable. I moved out of my Glasgow flat just over a year ago which cost £425 a month, now with a lick of paint they want £850 out of sheer greed, having a wage to throw away isn't the answer, you need affordable housing with controlled rents.
Indeed. I grew up in poverty and even with a parent working 2-3 jobs, we couldn’t have survived without living in a rent controlled property. And this wasn’t somewhere expensive like London or Edinburgh.
Original post by StriderHort
Just my take, but the fact that's its a kind of a naive opinion might not help - social housing & the benefits system isn't just for the long term unemployed, this support is needed by the workforce, people unfit for work & retired people also.
The DWP already make huge efforts to get people into work, there just isn't a corresponding effort to make living affordable. I moved out of my Glasgow flat just over a year ago which cost £425 a month, now with a lick of paint they want £850 out of sheer greed, having a wage to throw away isn't the answer, you need affordable housing with controlled rents.
The DWP already make huge efforts to get people into work, there just isn't a corresponding effort to make living affordable. I moved out of my Glasgow flat just over a year ago which cost £425 a month, now with a lick of paint they want £850 out of sheer greed, having a wage to throw away isn't the answer, you need affordable housing with controlled rents.
I don't disagree entirely but I think that the welfare system in Scotland doesn't serve what I believe should be its role, that is supporting people during periods of hardship such as unemployment to get them back into work and able to sustain themselves again. Long-term dependence on the state does not seem to help anyone and perpetuates the cycle of poverty especially in historically deprived parts of Glasgow.
As for controlled rents, I'm not sure what motivation landlords would have to buy properties in the first place if we limit the amount of profit they can make from it. Buying properties is risky and has to have some upside. If the state is to buy up more properties and rent them out at lower costs, this puts greater strain on government finances. I'm also not sure it is right that taxpayers should have to subside others' housing costs.
Original post by vinceamd
I don't disagree entirely but I think that the welfare system in Scotland doesn't serve what I believe should be its role, that is supporting people during periods of hardship such as unemployment to get them back into work and able to sustain themselves again. Long-term dependence on the state does not seem to help anyone and perpetuates the cycle of poverty especially in historically deprived parts of Glasgow.
As for controlled rents, I'm not sure what motivation landlords would have to buy properties in the first place if we limit the amount of profit they can make from it. Buying properties is risky and has to have some upside. If the state is to buy up more properties and rent them out at lower costs, this puts greater strain on government finances. I'm also not sure it is right that taxpayers should have to subside others' housing costs.
As for controlled rents, I'm not sure what motivation landlords would have to buy properties in the first place if we limit the amount of profit they can make from it. Buying properties is risky and has to have some upside. If the state is to buy up more properties and rent them out at lower costs, this puts greater strain on government finances. I'm also not sure it is right that taxpayers should have to subside others' housing costs.
In my case we lived in rent controlled property for decades and when my single parent passed away the landlord finally installed double glazing and central heating. They then tripled the rent for the following tenants. The landlord seemed motivated enough to own the property long term.
So no, I don’t agree with your position. And a good demonstration of why a PS doesn’t have enough space to tackle a subject with this much nuance.
Original post by Admit-One
In my case we lived in rent controlled property for decades and when my single parent passed away the landlord finally installed double glazing and central heating. They then tripled the rent for the following tenants. The landlord seemed motivated enough to own the property long term.
So no, I don’t agree with your position. And a good demonstration of why a PS doesn’t have enough space to tackle a subject with this much nuance.
So no, I don’t agree with your position. And a good demonstration of why a PS doesn’t have enough space to tackle a subject with this much nuance.
I understand your position and I hardly come from some aristocratic background - my mum's side of the family are from the East End and my dad moved to Glasgow from Iran in the 90s and lived in one of the roughest parts of the city. I just disagree that controlling rents will solve the housing problem. House prices have risen drastically across the board in the last few decades and it would be wrong to expect that private rentals too would not increase. Inflation recently has increased costs drastically for landlords as well. I don't see why we expect landlords not to increase rents as a result. They, like everyone else, are trying to make money and don't do this out of the good of their own heart.
Original post by vinceamd
I don't disagree entirely but I think that the welfare system in Scotland doesn't serve what I believe should be its role, that is supporting people during periods of hardship such as unemployment to get them back into work and able to sustain themselves again. Long-term dependence on the state does not seem to help anyone and perpetuates the cycle of poverty especially in historically deprived parts of Glasgow.
As for controlled rents, I'm not sure what motivation landlords would have to buy properties in the first place if we limit the amount of profit they can make from it. Buying properties is risky and has to have some upside. If the state is to buy up more properties and rent them out at lower costs, this puts greater strain on government finances. I'm also not sure it is right that taxpayers should have to subside others' housing costs.
As for controlled rents, I'm not sure what motivation landlords would have to buy properties in the first place if we limit the amount of profit they can make from it. Buying properties is risky and has to have some upside. If the state is to buy up more properties and rent them out at lower costs, this puts greater strain on government finances. I'm also not sure it is right that taxpayers should have to subside others' housing costs.
To address the first part, what do you think the DWP should be doing in Scotland that they don't already do? It's not like they encourage people to stay on long term. I dunno about you but I have deffo been unemployed and on benefits in Glasgow and it's no cakewalk, people were on my back about finding work or proving my progress at least weekly, esp if you are a new claimant they will push you hard to avoid you getting comfortable, many new claimants pretty much get enrolled in some sort of training scheme or series of workshops in week 1. Eventually you'll get moved to someone's caseload who had a mandate to get rid of you one way or another.
For the latter - well maybe it will weed out irresponsible landlords who are only in it to get rich quick, it's not like there hasn't already been massive pushback against 'buy to let' landlords and their exploitation of tenants - if the only way you can be a landlord is to get the tenant to pay the entirety of the mortgage and interest then the market could do without you.
Housing affects everyone and I believe it 100% should be a taxpayer issue, and I remind you that plenty of social tenants are taxpayers. You don't get to pick and choose where your tax is spent, I don't have kids or cancer but I don't get to say I don't want to fund schools or hospital wards, and I still might find myself needing these things one unforeseen day. Social/Affordable housing is the same, I might really need it down the line, anyone could be one bad accident or illness away from ending their working life and facing decades on a strictly fixed income at the mercy of landlords who will double the rent where they can, sometimes you absolutely need rent controlled housing stock or people will die.
Turning into a bit of an essay but something to consider is that if someone on benefits can't get a social/affordable tenancy they're going to have to get a more expensive private one with far higher costs to the taxpayer and with the rent lost to the landlord rather than reclaimed to the housing provider. I def feel its something that should be collectively invested in. You see the same with immigration/asylum etc people rightfully raging at the huge housing costs being paid to hotels for people long term, wouldn't it make more sense to invest that money in housing that can be distributed by the state as needed? rather than that money vanishing overseas to a hotel chain.
(edited 1 month ago)
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