Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Universal Basic Income

Tuesday 1 December 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ronnie Cowan inquired about discussions on the merits of introducing a universal basic income to aid economic recovery post-covid-19.
  • Councils and elected politicians across the UK have requested support for basic-income pilot projects to study the advantages and disadvantages.
  • The response cited reports indicating that a universal basic income might not effectively alleviate poverty and could potentially increase it.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ronnie Cowan SNP
Economy Benefits & Welfare
Context

Discussions around the potential merits of introducing a universal basic income to support economic recovery following the COVID-19 outbreak.

Question

Whether he has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of introducing a universal basic income to support economic recovery following the covid-19 outbreak.

Answer from Steve Barclay (Chancellor of the Exchequer)

We have supported those on the lowest incomes throughout this crisis by investing more than £7 billion in the welfare system, and we are focused on helping people to get into work by making up to £30 billion available through our plans for jobs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Chancellor did not address whether there have been discussions about a universal basic income.

How: Focused On Other Welfare Measures

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Ronnie Cowan SNP
Economy Benefits & Welfare Local Government
Context

Councils across the UK have requested support for basic-income pilots to assess their potential benefits and drawbacks. A letter signed by over 500 elected politicians was sent to the Chancellor requesting such support.

Question

Councils throughout England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland have asked for support to run basic-income pilots, designed to increase our knowledge of the pros and cons of basic income. Five hundred and twenty elected politicians from across the UK sent a letter to the Chancellor on this subject and got a frankly derisory response. Does the Chancellor honestly believe that he knows everything there is to know about a basic income and would not learn from such pilots? If he does not, will he back the basic-income pilots and let us learn together and make evidence-based policy?

Answer from Steve Barclay (Chancellor of the Exchequer)

I am happy to learn from the 2017 Work and Pensions Committee report that said it was 'difficult to see how' a universal basic income would substantially alleviate poverty, or from the OECD, which said that a universal basic income could 'increase poverty' and negatively affect the poorest. If the hon. Gentleman is putting forward this proposal, he should set out what the specific amount is. I note that to date the SNP has refused to do that.

Not addressed: The Chancellor did not address whether support would be given for basic-income pilots.

How: Cited Reports And Oecd Concerns, Questioned The Specifics Of The Proposal

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)