Is this the time to trial Universal Income?

[jewel1968]

This pandemic is going to force us to accelerate innovation in some areas. For example my GP said that they would be introducing video appointments. I can also see employers having to embrace smarter working which might last long after the virus declines.

This got me wondering if now is the time to trial Universal Income. I have read various articles and often wondered if it could work but there is little incentive to trial it. Perhaps now is the time to trial it thus providing some relief to people who might be forced to stay off work if schools close.

Interested in your thoughts.

Yes, I think it's a good idea anyway but makes even more sense now.

That is 2 of us then

What’s Universal Income?

You could be right. Can't imagine the Tories would go for it though.

No, a time of uncertainty, dislocation and potential economic collapse is exactly the wrong time to completely rearrange government spending.

What’s Universal Income?

Everyone is given a base figure to live from, what you earn is additional, some northern Scandinavia countries have looked seriously at this type of model. Bear in mind that very high taxes may also play a large part, dDenmark taxes are around 40%

But there are many benefits

I think universal income is a benefit which every adult receives, but those who work pay more tax so it's off set. The thinking is if you loose your job the safety net is in place.

When I first heard of the idea I thought it sounded like nonsense, but having given it some thought I think it's the way to go. Once it was set up administration would be so much less than the faffing with other benefits, so surely massive savings would be made.

I think it was trialled somewhere a few years ago, but wasn't successful.

Thanks.

Can you universal income. I understand the fundamentals, but how would the government afford ? Where/ how do they get their chunk ?

Heard something about this recently with suggestion of UI at £1500 pcm. However would this not cause inflation elsewhere, what if everyone thinks, well sod work, if l can get that for doing nothing, do those that work get further and further hammered for tax?

I think it’s a great idea. I’ve been on sickness/disability benefits for years and just had my PIP stopped (having to do the mandatory reconsideration thing now).

It’s so demoralising to constantly have to fight when I’m chronically sick and knackered. It would be less stressful if I had that safety net.

I think now would be a good time to bring it in as so many people’s finances are going to be fucked with this pandemic.

In my dreams this would happen. I can't see this happening but thank you for starting the conversation! I'll definitely be mentioning it offline.

I am no expert. I heard this chap on a podcast and he was quite persuasive

www.google.com/amp/s/futurism.com/andrew-yang-coronavirus-outbreak-basic-income/amp

Maybe even temporarily at least. I can't even imagine how we'll recover from this pandemic when it's over.

It's a good idea. It won't happen here though.

But where would it this money come from?!

Universal income was ridiculously low and people starved in other countries

We already have universal credit and it would take billions of pounds and a good couple of years to change it

I’m keen on the idea. Figures that I saw were a decent amount to live on, not ridiculously low. But I think there were problems in places that ran trials.

I think it’s an excellent policy and now would be a great time to trial it, although there would be the risk of all the people in unpleasant/uncertain roles leaving their jobs in a owner, and how to deal with that. There’s no way the tories would do it tho.

Today 21:11 TitianaTitsling

But where would it this money come from?!

Taxing google & amazon, shutting the loop holes

Oh but trump doesn’t want American companies to pay uk tax so he’s penalise us rather than let that happen

I think the amount varies. A trial would help assess the appropriate amount.

Some research
www.google.com/amp/s/amp.interestingengineering.com/the-15-most-promising-universal-basic-income-trials