{"id":182196,"date":"2021-05-27T17:45:00","date_gmt":"2021-05-27T17:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basicincometoday.com\/?p=10703"},"modified":"2021-05-27T17:45:00","modified_gmt":"2021-05-27T17:45:00","slug":"support-is-growing-for-a-universal-basic-income-and-rightly-so","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2021\/05\/27\/support-is-growing-for-a-universal-basic-income-and-rightly-so\/","title":{"rendered":"Support is growing for a universal basic income \u2013 and rightly so"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
The benefits of universal basic income is being recognized globally with the potential to provide everyone with a safety net that can improve the quality of life of every citizen. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n By: Guy Standing<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Wales has become the latest country to explore the idea of a universal basic income, which gives every adult a fixed amount of money, regardless of their employment status. Announcing plans<\/a> for a pilot scheme was a bold move by the first minister, Mark Drakeford, who said he has a \u201clongstanding interest\u201d in the idea. And he is not alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Wales, a survey showed 69% of people supported<\/a> a trial, and a letter asking<\/a> the British government to consider similar plans was signed by over 500 cross-party politicians from across the UK. Already, 32 local councils<\/a> across the country have voted in favour of a pilot in their areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since COVID-19, there has been a global surge in support too. In the USA,\u00a0Los Angeles<\/a>\u00a0has become the latest city to launch an experiment, and there have been trials in Canada, South Korea and Kenya. In Europe,\u00a0a poll last year<\/a>, covering France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Spain, found that more than two-thirds of people were in favour of a basic income.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Of course, there are sceptics. The Conservatives reacted to the Drakeford\u2019s announcement by saying<\/a> Wales should not become \u201ca petri dish for failed left-wing policies\u201d. But there is nothing especially left-wing about providing everybody with a basic income \u2013 it is a matter of common justice that would enhance freedom and provide basic security for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paying every individual a modest weekly amount, with supplements for those with special needs, would be easier and less expensive than trying to identify \u201cthe poor\u201d. And there is nothing in the concept to suggest it should replace other benefits, so no reason to claim it would increase poverty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nor can critics legitimately claim that basic income pilot has failed. My\u00a0recent<\/a>\u00a0books<\/a>\u00a0have summarised evidence from more than 20 pilots, in rich and poor countries. None have failed. On the contrary; even though the methodology, sample sizes and durations have varied, the outcomes have been remarkably consistent.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The most common result is better mental and physical health. There are also clear improvements in nutrition, school performance, productivity, and status of women and those with disabilities. There have also been\u00a0increases in work<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 not reductions, as\u00a0critics<\/a>\u00a0claim there would be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n