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Universal Basic Income

  • by JW

“The simplest way to make sure no one goes to work and spreads the virus when they should be self-isolating is to introduce that most debated of modern welfare concepts, the universal basic income – which gives an entitlement to everyone to a minimum income.”

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These news pages have looked at the future of work and services:

The future of work and leisure

Universal Basic Services

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What about the Universal Basic Income?

Futures Forum: Universal Basic Income @ Radio 4’s In Business

Futures Forum: Universal Basic Income @ Radio 4’s Thinking Allowed

Futures Forum: Universal Basic Income: ‘The unexpected benefits of unconditional cash transfers’

Futures Forum: Universal Basic Income: the libertarian argument for

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And are we about to see it introduced into the UK?

Boris Johnson considers giving free cash to all | telegraph.co.uk

Workers losing pay due to coronavirus cash crisis should have wages covered, MPs demand | thesun,co.uk

Covid-19 and the Need, Right Now, For a Universal Basic Income | counterpunch.org

As a minister who worked with Andrew Yang, I’m glad to see everyone finally admitting he was right | independent.co.uk

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A couple of days ago, Robert Peston asked:

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How big and imaginative will the Chancellor’s economic rescue package be?

As one Tory minister put it to me, these principles imply that Boris Johnson will almost certainly have to oversee a government that for a good year or maybe longer will look quite socialist.

“We’ll find ourselves implementing most of Jeremy Corbyn’s programme” is how he put it.

As I mentioned, the Treasury and Bank of England will find themselves having to play God in respect of deciding which businesses to save.

And the simplest way to make sure no one goes to work and spreads the virus when they should be self-isolating is to introduce that most debated of modern welfare concepts, the universal basic income – which gives an entitlement to everyone to a minimum income.

Even Tories are talking to me about the probable need for a temporary universal basic income, to get round all that confusion of which welfare payments kick in to whom, and to save many younger people in particular falling through the existing state safety net.

Right now, what is required is decisiveness and simplicity in response. And, probably, over coming months, hundreds of millions of pounds in business grants, new credit and additional welfare payments.

How big and imaginative will the Chancellor’s economic rescue package be? Asks Robert Peston | itv.com

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In two days, a quarter of a million have signed a petition:

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To: Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak

Coronavirus: A temporary universal basic income for everyone

In light of COVID-19 everyone should receive a temporary universal basic income, including freelancers and the self-employed.

Why is this important?

In light of Government advice to minimise the scale and spread of coronavirus many people, especially freelancers, self-employed people and people on lower incomes will be left with little to no money for the foreseeable future.

The Government must adopt emergency measures right now to support people across the country, by providing temporary universal basic income so we all have enough money to survive. Universal basic income is a sum of money given to everyone to help pay for essentials like food and bills. Already Labour and Conservative MPs are calling on the Government to do it, and politicians in the USA and other countries are also calling on their Governments to do the same.

There is a lot more that needs to be done to mitigate the impact of coronavirus – from helping people get support from their workplace when they are sick, to making sure tenants don’t face eviction. But ensuring everyone across the country has a set sum to get by could save lives. If you think everyone should be guaranteed enough money to pay for basic essentials at a time like this, will you add your name to the petition now?