The idea of a universal or unconditional basic income (UBI) is not a new idea. The concept of providing every citizen with a basic amount of money throughout their lifetime was first mooted by Thomas Paine, and has staunch defenders from around the world and across the political spectrum. The left applaud the principle of universality, its redistributive effect and the potential for tackling poverty; those on the Right see an encouragement to independence, a smaller state, and a way to tackle reliance on benefits.
The Labour Party’s move earlier this year to set up a working group on the […]
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