Universal basic income trial in UK

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Thirty people could be paid £1,600 a month without any obligation under proposals for the first trial of a universal basic income in England.

Researchers from think tank Autonomy are seeking financial backing for a two-year pilot programme to see how it would change the lives of the group.

Supporters say schemes can simplify the welfare system and tackle poverty.

Participants will be drawn from central Jarrow, in north-east England, and East Finchley, in north London.

The concept of a universal basic income sees government pays all individuals a set salary regardless of their means.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65806599

Interesting idea but I think it should be means tested as I don't see the point of paying £1600 a month to someone in a £100k a year job.

too little, too late

Why is it always in the region of about 15 to 20k? It's always to much even for a trial and nothing can be gained of its impact to the economy.

Still no idea where the money can come from without causing harm and no idea why trials are always run and quietly end with nothing being concluded.

It also won't be UBI if it's not universal. The whole point is to be universal and not means tested. If it ever was means tested then not much point in working anymore.

This is another one of my gripes about it. It's always floated as an idea to help everyone and be "universal" but soon the discussion of means testing pops up and it deteriorates from there.

Broadly speaking, a lot of the support for UBI comes from groups or people who can't cope in a capitalist society or even, I assume a communist society where labour is glamourised.

it's capital's ploy to seem progressive, but really it's just to keep capitalism alive. If and when it's ever implemented widely. Else, totally ineffective.

Have to say, I'd love to see a UBI trial done properly here. This ain't it. How the hell do they expect to get statistically significant results from just 30 people?!

I think it will be very interesting to see the results.

I understand what Rossall is saying that it should be means tested but surely the point is that it shouldn't be means tested? It's a way of equalising everyone. And I imagine that if UBI works, people won't need all these £100K jobs or they won't even exist anymore. Especially if AI comes along and does most jobs for us.

Interesting comments from these people:

It is so hard to tell without a large experiment, I mean lots of people. I thought the Scandinavian countries had done large experiments with UBI and concluded it made a difference but their lives are pretty good anyway.

It seems crazy that large numbers of people are struggling to survive in Britain, one of the richest countries in the world. I wonder where that money could have gone...

The two areas tthey've chosen are very different. In Jarrow in the north east someone in a council house could probably have quite a comfortable lifestyle and run a car on £1600 a month whereas in Finchley, London they would struggle renting privately. It probably wouldn't even cover the rent on a one bedroomed flat.

Tbh I think the current welfare system is probably the least worst option with the exception of the overly harsh UC sanctions regime brought in by the Tories.

People aren't all going to spend it on booze, cigs and feckless spending though. They will use it to buy food, clothes, heating- vital things like that. People aren't poor because they spend their money recklessly- they're poor because they don't have any money.

I think it will be very interesting to see how the experiment goes, won't it