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Original poster

Universal Basic Income for all now!

32 replies

Mhijo · 20/03/2020 18:51

So many fall through the cracks of these measures announced by the government tonight. I am glad some are getting help but this means some will be getting up to £2500 a month for sitting at home when others will have no income at all, no housing security. Allowing such a huge amount of people to fall into destitution will create yet another tragedy on top of the coronavirus. We need a UBI for all now!

OP posts:
Original poster
Mhijo · 20/03/2020 19:05

UBI could offer immediate reassurance at this time and prevent major panic.

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MrsWhites · 20/03/2020 19:16

Couldn’t agree more 👏👏👏

CremeEggThief · 20/03/2020 19:17

I have supported the concept of universal basic income since I first heard of it a few years ago.

I wonder if it will now become a popular policy? Seems sensible to me!

Elizadoeslittle19 · 20/03/2020 19:19

Agree totally.

Greenbutterlfy566 · 20/03/2020 19:21

Agreed

Dawnofanewmillenium · 20/03/2020 19:22

For everybody, even people working?

Isla727 · 20/03/2020 19:23

Absolutely agree. It's really unfair for the self-employed and others.

Lua · 20/03/2020 19:24

should have voted for Corbyn...Wink

MrsWhites · 20/03/2020 19:25

I think prioritising those on PAYE only in the way today’s announcement does is a far too simplistic view of who will be affected this year.

As I said in another thread, what about those still working but have effectively had their wages cut by lack of overtime, bonuses being withheld plus increased household bills etc due to home schooling and self isolating. Not to mention increased food costs.

Universal basic wage would help massively in these situations!

MaudBaileysGreenTurban · 20/03/2020 19:26

Absolutely. Have been a big supporter of UBI for many years. We need it right now. It needs to happen.

MrsWhites · 20/03/2020 19:27

@Dawnofanewmillenium in my opinion, yes, even those working. They are still facing increasing costs and financial uncertainty due to the virus.

Thescrewinthetuna · 20/03/2020 19:28

Yes

MaudBaileysGreenTurban · 20/03/2020 19:29

Universal.

It would go to everybody. It's the only way - means testing is expensive, complicated and inefficient.

Those who 'don't need it' can spend it on local businesses, or donate it to charity, or a food bank, or give it away.

PhantomErik · 20/03/2020 19:32

Is there any official guidance about this?

Who it's for, qualifing criteria etc as I can't find anything other than a link to DMail & I'm not keen on them!

nightimebrowser · 20/03/2020 19:43

It's not universal though is it? My partner is self employed, we rent and he has lost 2 clients bringing our income down to £1600pm now. Will probably lose all clients soon.

Original poster
Mhijo · 20/03/2020 19:44

I did vote for Corbyn!

Just to clarify the government isn't bringing in UBI but they should. Too many people will suffer horribly under the current measures.

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Original poster
Mhijo · 20/03/2020 19:45

@nightbrowser I'm calling on the government to bring in UBI, current package is useless for millions of people in the UK.

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MaudBaileysGreenTurban · 20/03/2020 19:50

It's not universal though is it? My partner is self employed, we rent and he has lost 2 clients bringing our income down to £1600pm now. Will probably lose all clients soon

This thread is about UBI, not the govt's latest announcement regarding salary cover. They are two different things.

womanaf · 20/03/2020 19:50

Would love to see UBI now, not least because when this is over I’d prefer for us to pay people to do nothing rather than having lots of people work in jobs and industries that literally add nothing but landfill and pollution.

nightimebrowser · 20/03/2020 19:51

@Mhijo apologies! I didn't read it correctly- I agree with bringing in a UBI in that case, sounds like the best alternative!

RemiRoo · 20/03/2020 20:00

Yes!! I was so genuinely happy for PAYE people today when they made the announcement but I was very sad for my own family. My husband is a self employed contractor on CIS. Even the tax break doesn’t help us because his tax is deducted weekly, the same as PAYE. If he loses his job we’re screwed. He’s been with the same company for 6 years but we have zero protection.

Original poster
Mhijo · 20/03/2020 20:02

@nightbrowser no props a confusing time for all at the moment. If you have twitter search and tweet government about UBI and there at petitions online also, we need to create a bit of noise about those left behind on these measures!

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Therollockingrogue · 20/03/2020 20:02

Agree 1 million percent.

MrsWhites · 20/03/2020 20:04

Remiroo - some of my family are in the same position.

I’m sick of reading that self employed or those with a stay at home parent should have savings to fall back on. Sometimes that’s just not practical or affordable anymore than those on PAYE!

MrsWhites · 20/03/2020 20:06

@Mhijo already signed the petition for UBI. I live in hope that it’s supporters in parliament will shine more of a light on it next week!