Lib Dems promise to undertake Universal Basic Income trial in Wales as they launch their Senedd campaign

The Liberal Democrats have promised to undertake a trial of Universal Basic Income in Wales as they launch their Senedd campaign.

Under the UBI system – which has been trialled in other countries – citizens are handed a sum of money from the state to cover the basic cost of living.

The party said it was part of a spate of “ambitious and fully achievable policies” which they could implement if they entered government after May 6.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats will put recovery first which will mean; an economic recovery, a green recovery and a recovery for mental health that will benefit everyone in Wales,” party leader Jane Dodds said.

“The past year has been tough, life as we know it has changed, but I know Wales is a resilient country and we have the chance to build a better future for our children and our children’s children.

“The next Welsh Government will face a huge challenge in the problems that already existed in our country and which have been made worse as a result of Covid.”

‘Recovery’

Jane Dodds will outline some of the Welsh Liberal Democrats’ key election pledges including:

• Spending £1billion a year to tackle the climate emergency;
• Building 30,000 new social housing properties;
• A £500million investment in our high streets, towns and city centres;
• Undertake a trial of UBI (Universal Basic Income) in Wales;
• Freezing Business rates for five years and replace them with a fairer, more supportive system; and
• Introduce universal free part-time childcare from 9 months to school age, and expand provision of before and after school care.

She will also warn that by putting anything other than our recovery first at this moment is dangerous.

Speaking at the launch Jane Dodds is expected to say: “With ambitious and fully achievable policies ranging from building 30,000 new homes, to investing in our high streets, and freezing the business rates which cripple so many small and medium sized firms, the Welsh Liberal Democrats are presenting radical yet realistic options for Wales’ future.

“Wales cannot afford for any party or any government to put anything other than our recovery first. That is precisely what a vote for the Welsh Liberal Democrats will be.

“Putting Recovery First means securing an economic recovery, a recovery for our environment and a mental health recovery.”