MPs, peers and councillors from six parties across the UK have formed a unique new political group to explore the potential of Universal Basic Income (UBI).
The CPPLG on UBI – standing for Cross-Party Parliamentary and Local Government Group – is a unique new form of APPG that brings parliamentarians together with councillors, elected mayors and members of the devolved assemblies on an equal footing.
The aim of the group is to co-produce work to collectively advocate for policy positions, UBI pilots and the need to test alternatives to the current welfare system, with a view to influencing the wider debate around UBI and social security in the UK.
This group will improve links between Westminster and elected representatives across the UK and could be transformative in bringing about positive change and improved ways of working between elected representatives across the country.
The group’s full mission statement is attached.
The new group is co-chaired by:
● Christine Jardine MP, Liberal Democrats Treasury Spokesperson
● Baroness Natalie Bennett, Green Party peer
● Beth Winter MP, Labour
● Ronnie Cowan MP, SNP
● Cllr Patrick Brown, Alliance Party
● Cllr Alison Teal, Green Party
Politicians from Plaid Cymru are also members of the CPPLG.
The CPPLG on UBI has been set up by the UBI Lab Network in collaboration with the Basic Income Conversation, a project hosted by the thinktank Compass.
Why now?
The UK faces turbulent months ahead with growing concerns about the impact of a second wave of coronavirus, the proposed end of the Job Retention Scheme and Brexit.
As multiple crises meet, the current social security system will be pushed to breaking point. It’s a matter of urgency for the government to take action to begin plans for a UBI that would give security to citizens and steer the economy out of recession and into recovery.
The CPPLG will work across the political spectrum to make the case to the government that the country is ready to try Universal Basic Income.
What is UBI?
UBI is a regular and unconditional payment given to everybody regardless of their income, wealth or employment status. Proposals range from £50 per week for every adult to over £100 per week for every adult and child.
Supporters believe that a UBI would guarantee everyone the right to basic financial security by providing a regular income boost for millions in Britain.
They also believe that it would give people more freedom to pursue education and training later in life, start a business, or take time out to care for a loved one without facing financial penalties.
A UBI trial in Finland showed improved mental health for participants. It also found that the recipients of a UBI spent more days in employment on average compared to the control group.
A modest UBI scheme already exists in Alaska, where all citizens receive an annual dividend of around $2,000 a year from the state’s oil profits.
At Easter Pope Francis wrote: “This may be the time to consider a universal basic wage.” He continued: “It would ensure and concretely achieve the ideal, at once so human and so Christian, of no worker without rights.”
The First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has said there will be “constructive discussions” with the UK government on basic income.
She went on to say: “The experience of the virus and the economic consequences of that have actually made me much, much more strongly of the view that it is an idea that’s time has come.”
In collaboration with Organise, the UBI Lab Network and Compass recently released an interactive map collecting over 20,000 responses to a Work and Pensions Select Committee call for evidence on UBI.
Quotes
Christine Jardine MP said:
“I’m really proud to be part of this cross-party group putting forward the case for a Universal Basic Income. This is the closest we will get to a clean slate so it’s time to create a society that lifts people out of poverty, giving people equality of opportunity. Universal Basic Income gives us the opportunity to free people of insecurity and should be the post-pandemic legacy we leave for the next generation.”
Councillor Patrick Brown said:
“It is an honour to take on the role of co-chair for this CPPLG on UBI. As an Alliance Party councillor and PhD student studying the impact a basic income could have on the peace process, I am well aware of the transformational impact a UBI could have in Northern Ireland. As we face an economic cliff edge in the autumn, when the Job Retention Scheme is scheduled to end, it is vital all parties from across the UK work together to propose workable and fair solutions that will help everyone in society. Only a UBI can provide economic security for all, help rebuild household finances, and provide resilience in the economy to cope with future shocks. I look forward to working with colleagues on this innovative CPPLG over the coming weeks and months to advance that goal.”
Dr Stephen Farry MP said:
“Covid-19 must transform how we manage our economy and protect our society. UBI provides that fundamental safety net in an uncertain future, and a secure platform for people to be productive and realise opportunities.”
Baroness Natalie Bennett said:
We are all in this together. It is both just, and, practically speaking, in all of our interests to ensure a liveable minimum income for all to allow people and households to self-isolate when necessary to protect us all. The Green Party has long advocated a Universal Basic Income (UBI) to meet the needs of everyone in regards to food, shelter, clothing and other essentials, without fear of penury. Introducing one now under such conditions is a huge logistical challenge, but so too is every other proposal and plan being put forward.”
Councillor Alison Teal said:
“The pandemic has highlighted the inadequacies of our current welfare system and the need to provide a safety net for everyone is ever more pressing. This cross-party national-local government representatives group is a necessary and timely initiative aimed to address the seriousness of the circumstances we are facing. UBI is a panacea to provide a sustainable base for the economy and security for all.”
Beth Winter MP said:
“Universal Basic Income offers a very real solution to helping people out of poverty and aiding the economy, while reducing society’s gaping inequalities which have grown deeper during the Covid pandemic. UBI has a number of merits – it meets the human right that everyone should have an appropriate amount of money on which to subsist; it overcomes the negative features of means-testing like stigma; it is simple unlike the complex current welfare system; it stimulates demand in the economy by putting money in people’s pockets and thus could help avoid a deep and prolonged recession. I believe it will help pave the way to achieve a fairer and more resilient society and economy for everyone.”
Ronnie Cowan MP said:
“Basic income is the classic example of an idea whose time has come. The concept has been mooted for hundreds of years but now we are building a political consensus, not just in the UK but globally. At its worst, UBI is a far better social security system than we currently have and at its best it could eradicate poverty. It will provide people with an environment to help them fulfil their potential, it can provide a safety net in times of trouble and it will remove the stigma surrounding benefits.”
About UBI Lab Network
The UBI Lab Network is a worldwide network of citizens, researchers, activists and campaigners exploring the potential of Universal Basic Income. The network is working towards piloting a basic income and creating a movement for change through a large network of UBI Lab groups around the world and in UK cities and regions including Sheffield, Newcastle, Northern Ireland, Kirklees, Leeds, Liverpool, Jakarta, Bucharest, York, Birmingham and Hull.
About Basic Income Conversation
The Basic Income Conversation is a new initiative, supported by the thinktank Compass, that blends community organising, research and communications to promote basic income in the UK. It’s been working with a coalition of organisations, including Basic Income UK and the UBI Lab Network, to coordinate the work with parliamentarians and promote UBI in the UK.
Mission Statement:
Since the covid-19 crisis has unfolded we’ve seen the Overton window shift swiftly in favour of testing some form of UBI, both as an immediate response to the pandemic and potentially as a longer term reform to our social security system. Even before the crisis, there was a growing movement of Local Authorities (7) expressing interest in piloting UBI with the Scottish Government commissioning the now complete Feasibility Study exploring what pilots would look like in the UK. In 2020 alone, Hull, Norwich and Newry, Mourne and Down in Northern Ireland local authorities have passed motions in support of piloting UBI. The case for regional pilots of UBI is strong, but testing this will require all parts of government – local, regional, city-wide, devolved, and national – working collaboratively.
A Cross-Party Parliamentary and Local Government Working Group on UBI (CPPLG) is an innovative new structure consisting of cross party MPs (including devolved governments), Local Authority Councillors, Metro-Mayors, LGA Officers. Co-Chaired by an elected MP, Peer and Local Government Councillors and or Mayors, alongside a diverse membership of stakeholders, we aim to co-produce work to collectively advocate for policy positions, Basic Income pilots and the need to test alternatives to the current system, with a view to influencing the wider debate around UBI and social security in the UK.
This group will improve links between Westminster and elected representatives across the UK and could be transformative in bringing about positive change and improved ways of working between elected representatives across the UK.
The draft purpose of this group is fourfold:
- To discuss how we might explore and activate the potential of UBI within the frame of the COVID-19 pandemic and the inevitable period of recovery following it.
- To contribute to actions and strategies that lead to the government implementing a form of UBI (whether that be a pilot, full UBI, ‘recovery UBI or ‘emergency UBI’)
- To ensure that our work is representative of the needs of communities, civil society groups, Local authorities and combined city regions across the whole of the UK.
- To define specific legislative proposals and which can be taken to Parliament for the creation of specific pilots or for wider systemic change.
Values:
● Fair: Significantly reducing poverty and acting to address income inequality for individuals,
communities and across all regions of the UK.
● Simple: Replacing most benefits to reduce bureaucracy and the significant costs of
administering the current welfare system.
● Democratic: Allowing people to contribute to their community and amplifying participatory,
deliberative and representative forms of democracy.
● Inclusive: Ensuring that we leave no individuals or communities behind and listen to the concerns of others.
