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‘Incredibly significant’: First Minister commits to basic income pilot in Wales

14 May 2021 3 minute read
Market Day in Rhyl. Picture by Joe Blundell (CC BY-SA 3.0)

The First Minister’s decision to commit to a basic income pilot scheme in Wales has been described as “incredibly significant” by the Future Generations Commissioner.

Mark Drakeford revealed today that the new minister for social justice, Jane Hutt, will be asked to work on the pilot scheme.

Under the UBI system – which has already been successfully trialled in other countries – citizens are handed a sum of money from the state to cover the basic cost of living. Its backers hope it will alleviate poverty by ensuring that everyone has a basic standard of living to fall back on.

A poll by Survation in March found that 69% of people in Wales would support the Welsh Government piloting a basic income scheme.

In an interview with Greatest Hits Radio, asked if he would press ahead with a pilot, Mark Drakeford said that he would.

“A basic income pilot is one of the specific responsibilities of our new social justice minister,” he said. “It will have to be carefully designed, it will draw on the experience of attempted pilots in Scotland, but I have a very longstanding interest in basic income. I hope we will be able to mount an experiment here that will test whether the claims that are made for a basic income approach are actually delivered.

“We’ll do it on a cross-party basis. There are 25 members of the Senedd in different parties who have expressed an interest in it. I want to do it on that broad basis and design the best possible pilot.”

‘Huge moment’

Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, later described it as an “incredibly significant” development.

“The Well-being of Future Generations Act puts an obligation on Wales to use long-term, joined-up thinking to keep people well, with progressive solutions,” she said.

“As the person responsible for setting out future-focused policies to Welsh Government, I’m delighted that the First Minister is listening to the issues I’ve been raising about needing new ways to tackle poverty, the need to mitigate the worst effects of the increasingly precarious nature of work and the benefits to overall well-being that a basic income could bring.

“Signaling basic income as a priority for the new government is an incredibly significant commitment by the First Minister to tackling Wales’ poverty and health inequalities – which cause lasting damage to the health and prospects of individuals, families and communities. 

“It’s a huge moment for the campaign, which I’ve been proud to be a part of, and the growing support for a fairer way of allowing people to meet their basic needs.

“I have an exciting report coming out this year that will provide further analysis of how a form of basic income could improve the lives of people in Wales for generations to come.

“The current system isn’t working – Wales’ commitment to exploring a basic income once again proves it’s often the small countries that can be world-leading and make the biggest changes.

“Hopefully this is the start of even more progressive policy announcements to come from Mark Drakeford’s government.”


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Quornby
Quornby
3 years ago

44 in favour then.

Dai Rob
Dai Rob
3 years ago

How much will I get?

Steve Duggan
Steve Duggan
3 years ago

If we can do this now – imagine what we could do as an independent nation !

David
David
3 years ago

The 2nd point in Gwlad’s manifesto 2021: A Citizens Income for all citizens

Alan Reilly
Alan Reilly
3 years ago
Reply to  David

The problem with Gwlad is the very narrow National Socialist-esque idea of who they consider Welsh.

Mandi A
Mandi A
3 years ago

Let’s be bold. The difference in today’s ONS Covid stats for the four UK nations clearly show that Wales can safely and effectively lead its own camel.

Ffred
Ffred
3 years ago

I wonder if his calling it “basic income” instead of “universal basic income” is significant

John Rogers
John Rogers
3 years ago

Will employers take advantage of this by paying smaller salaries,
knowing that the state will make up the shortfall ??

Col W.
Col W.
3 years ago
Reply to  John Rogers

I think that having the UBI as backup would give workers a stronger position to negotiate their salaries. If an employer starts cutting wages it is easier for the workers to leave.

Che Lars
Che Lars
3 years ago

It’s a brilliant scheme that has resulted in great quality of life in Switzerland for all its citizens. It’s totally affordable and can replace all benefits for low wages, retired. It also allows self improvement, greater work life balance, more job sharing and greater innovation and entrepreneurship. The well being results for people in country’s who have already done this speaks for itself.

Mandi A
Mandi A
3 years ago
Reply to  Che Lars

Bendigedig – please post here any reports with relevant stats, diolch

David Thomas
David Thomas
3 years ago
Reply to  Che Lars

Wales is not Switzerland

Steve Duggan
Steve Duggan
3 years ago

And I suppose Boris is the savior – yeah right. I’m not a Labour supporter but they aren’t Marxist – Please get your head out of 1917.

David Thomas
David Thomas
3 years ago

Can I retire early?

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