Labour taking a close look at universal basic income
 

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/...compass-report

This would mean everyone gets a flat-rate payment from the Government in lieu of any benefits. It's popular amongst people who want to detoxify the concept of benefits as it's universal.

Personally I don't like it. I think it's a massive waste of money and would rather that money be directed at those who need it, in higher amounts, rather than giving people like me a flat-rate payment. :confused: I mean I would take it but I wouldn't vote for it.

The only idea where this makes sense is here:

For now I don't think it works but there is a theory that more and more jobs will be taken over by computers and AI in which case we would come to a real crisis point where unemployment soars to unsustainable levels. Who keeps the profits of a fully automated workforce? Does the concept of profits even make sense if all our needs can be addressed by automatisation?

Weird times.

Re: Labour taking a close look at universal basic income
 

I see that Switzerland is voting on this question today and are expected to regect it. To me it smacks of communism by the back door.

Re: Labour taking a close look at universal basic income
 

They have rejected it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36454060

Re: Labour taking a close look at universal basic income
 

If they'd accepted it can you imagine the tides of immigrants, I mean free money just for being there.:dozey:

Re: Labour taking a close look at universal basic income
 

The Swiss tend to be quite tight about immigration (they aren't in the EU).

Re: Labour taking a close look at universal basic income
 

Under the Swiss proposal, you had to be a legal adult resident to be eligible, and you have to have been resident in Switzerland for 10 years before you can apply for citizenship.

Re: Labour taking a close look at universal basic income
 

Wasn't it a village in Switzerland, who said no to taking Migrants. As they said it would ruin the village - why cant we take that stance, since last week, there could be an increase of another 100.000

Re: Labour taking a close look at universal basic income
 

But that's OK because as we all know, uncontrolled migration is essential in order to keep things running smoothly... :rolleyes:

Re: Labour taking a close look at universal basic income
 

Re: Labour taking a close look at universal basic income
 

Many, many years ago the Liberal Party considered this for a much lower amount.

It's not as daft or unaffordable as it sounds (and as Damien says, we will have to do something to deal with the vast amount of jobs that will become automated).

If abuses can be dealt with, the benefits are:

- The payment would be taxable, so 20% (or more for higher taxpayers) would be clawed back.

- Perhaps it could withheld from those on the very top rate of tax?

- The Swiss intended to increase sales taxes to help fund their scheme. If this were to be levied on luxury goods, working people would have been compensated via their new payment. Those not working probably wouldn't be affected as they would need their basic income for the more essential things in life.

- The means tested Pension Credit to top up a pensioners income could be abolished and replaced by the new payment. This would make pensioners better off and avoid the means test that many current pensioners find humiliating.

- The savings in administration for benefits would be massively reduced.

- Student grants & loans for living costs could be scrapped along with the costs of administration.

- There would be virtually no fraud or error in the processing of benefits payments.

- There would be no need for costly Government projects to get people back to work.

- The number of disabled people having to be tested and retested would plummet, again leading to cost savings.

- Top up 'In Work benefits' like Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Working Tax Credits, Child Tax Credits etc would drop to only a small proportion of the workforce (or nil if it is assumed that no further help would be offered to those with higher needs).

- Carers Allowance could probably be abolished.

- Child Benefit could be abolished.

- Employers could be confident that those applying for jobs really want the position as opposed to complying with Jobcentre instructions to keep their benefits. Many employers are sick and tired of unsolicited enquiries about possible vacancies that the Jobcentre requires of current claimants.

- It would remove the stigma of being on benefits.

- Those able to work and find employment would have no need to resent paying towards those unable to work as they would be receiving the very same payment.

I think that with the financial and human benefits of this system, coupled with the world of work gearing up to change like never before, it's something that all Governments will have to consider.

It goes against everything that most people are taught ie you must work and earn your money etc, but if we don't do something the Government will be paying out more and more for staff to chase the increasing number of unemployed people who will be applying for an ever decreasing number of jobs.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-34066941

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/n...ed-robots.html

---------- Post added at 17:13 ---------- Previous post was at 16:52 ----------

This is a very good point. The whole thing would collapse if we were to continue to allow unfettered immigration.

As time goes by, there will be even less work for our own citizens, let alone for immigrants.

You'd think that the Government would have learned the lessons of bringing in black people in the 1950's. The original plan by both parties was that they would come over, help us out with the shortage of people required to do unskilled jobs at the time and then return home.

What happened was that they formed relationships, had children, bought houses and became settled. Many then said that they would 'go back home' upon retirement.

But where was home? The passage of time meant that their former homes had changed beyond recognition, former friends, neighbours and family had moved, died or they no longer had anything in common.

It would have been far better to have put them on a (rolling if need be) temporary leave to remain basis.

That way everyone would know where they stood and there would be less resentment towards immigrants as they would only be here when they were actually helping us.

Re: Labour taking a close look at universal basic income
 

Whilst I agree technology in the coming half century is likely to put more and more humans out of work no one national government can come up with any solution this has to be completely global or countries that did implement something like this will be outdone by the nations who don't. This will mean a complete overhaul of not just benefits, society and accepted thought but a massive overhaul of the corporate system. It's a bit like communism good idea but not very practical right now.

Re: Labour taking a close look at universal basic income
 

The Green Party also had this as part of their manifesto ..

Re: Labour taking a close look at universal basic income
 

I have no issues with a UBI, however it requires an extraordinary amount of caveats in order to work.

I suspect the human race will be in a post-income system before a UBI that works became widespread.