Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Universal Basic Income

Wednesday 28 April 2021 · 3 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

  • The UK Government's approach to welfare emphasizes work incentives and support for the vulnerable, rejecting a universal basic income.
  • The Minister cited unsuccessful trials of UBI in Finland and Canada, suggesting universal credit systems are preferred.
  • The Minister expressed that the Scottish Government has substantial welfare powers but highlighted their need to better utilize them.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Linden SNP
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question is prompted by the political debate surrounding welfare and devolution, particularly regarding UBI in Scotland. The Labour Party's stance on this issue reflects a broader discussion about work incentives and social support.

Question

What recent assessment has your Department made of the potential merits of trialling a universal basic income in Scotland?

Answer from Iain Stewart

The UK Government's approach to welfare is to recognise the value and importance of work, make work pay and support people into work, while giving extra help to the most vulnerable in society. On that basis, we consider that a universal basic income is fundamentally the wrong approach.

Not addressed: The answer does not provide any recent assessments or specific data on UBI trials in Scotland.

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Q2 David Linden SNP
Scotland Benefits & Welfare
Context

Following the Minister's rejection of a universal basic income, the MP seeks to argue that if parties supporting UBI are elected in Scotland, there will be a mandate for such trials.

Question

Given that all main Scottish parties except the Conservatives support trialling UBI and acknowledging devolution principles, does the Minister accept that there would be a mandate for UBI trials if these parties form the next Parliament?

Answer from Iain Stewart

Firstly, I point out that where UBI has been trialled internationally—in Finland and Canada—it has not been a success. The Finance Minister in Finland scrapped it and is looking at universal credit systems instead. Secondly, the Scottish Government already have substantial powers over welfare.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer dismisses UBI trials without addressing the specifics of the mandate or respecting devolution principles.

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Q3 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Scotland Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP expresses disappointment at the SNP government's inability to leverage the Scotland Act 2016 for more influence over welfare issues, suggesting a broader critique of devolution and power utilization.

Question

Although I share the hon. Member for Glasgow East's determination for UBI as the way forward and his disappointment that it is not being trialled in Scotland, does the Minister share my disappointment that the SNP Government at Holyrood failed to get their processes in shape to adopt welfare powers from the 2016 Act?

Answer from Iain Stewart

I agree with the hon. Lady that the Scottish Government still have much work to do to unlock their full potential under the Scotland Act 2016. We are committed to supporting them, but it is clear that separatists often seek more powers or money to shift blame from their failures.

Not addressed: The answer shifts focus to criticism of separatist movements and does not directly address the SNP's failure to adopt welfare powers.

How: Shifts Focus To Political Critique

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