In November last year, Lewes District Council became the 8th council to commit to give UBI a try. At the Green Party, we believe it’s time London followed suit.
WHAT IS UBI?
Universal Basic Income is a concept that allows all adults to receive a no-strings-attached sum at a level above their subsistence needs. It provides a security blanket and opportunity for all of us to live a fulfilling life, while liberating each of us from job insecurity.
WHAT ARE GREENS DOING ABOUT IT?
Our Green London Mayoral candidate and co-leader, Sian Berry, took the proposal of Universal Basic Income in the capital to London Assembly’s economic committee this Wednesday, alongside her Liberal Democrat colleague, Caroline Pidgeon. Unfortunately, the committee decided to delay making a decision, saying they need more information to move forward.
Green policies such as UBI are vital in securing the welfare of Londoners. Like Sian Berry said to The Big Issue, we need to fill the gaps in our welfare system:
I think the coronavirus has exposed the gaps in our current welfare system in a way that it’s never done before. And the horrible thing about the coronavirus crisis is that it’s really laid bare this idea that loss of income, loss of your home genuinely can happen to everybody. What we need to have is a system that leaves no gaps. And Universal Basic Income is the simplest system that does that and doesn’t make anyone beg for welfare support.
Sian Berry, The Big Issue
Read the full story in The Big Issue OR learn more about Universal Basic Income here and here
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I agree in principle with the idea of a Universal basic income, but I think it should be means-tested (though within reasonably generous limits). for instance, giving this to someone whose income is already very high would be a superfluous waste of money, and would also mean less available for those who really need it.
Giving money to already rich people is not a good idea. Although this policy sounds fine in theory, when you get into government it is a different matter.
For those earning over £50,000 it should not apply. A bigger priority should be to increase the top rate of income tax to 50 per cent, as under the last labour government.
Taxing trust income would also be a good idea.