Universal basic income trial to be done in England

A universal basic income of £1600 (₹1.64 lakh) per month will be tested for the first time in England, as a pilot study.

As per a report by Guardian, 30 people will receive a lumpsum payment for two years, and their lives will be monitored to determine how it affects them.

East Finchley, in north London, and central Jarrow, in northeastern England, have been chosen as the locations for the micro trial scheme.

In order to track their experiences over the same time period, a control group will be chosen and not given the basic income. These people will be chosen randomly from a pool of volunteers, and 20% of the spots will be reserved for participants with impairments.

Those who advocate Universal Basic Income (UBI) argue that it can give everyone a certain amount of financial security. Others claim it is expensive and help should be targeted, yet it is considered as a viable answer to job uncertainty.

Will Stronge, the director of research at the thinktank Autonomy, which is backing the plan, said “Our society is going to require some form of basic income in the coming years, given the tumult of climate change, tech disruption and industrial transition that lies ahead. This is why building the evidence base and public engagement now is so important, so the ground is well prepared for national implementation.”

In other nations, similar pilot programmes are currently underway. Young adults exiting foster care in Wales are eligible for a programme sponsored by the Welsh government that pays them £1600 per month for two years. The govt will report on the outcome after the trial finishes, as reported by The Guardian.