The case for a universal basic income is increasingly clear. In recent years it has moved from a fringe idea to a mainstream one: discussed by political leaders in the UK and abroad. Since the beginning of the lockdown and the resulting economic fall-out, it looks closer than ever to becoming a political reality.
The First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, has become an out and out advocate. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has expressed interest. Google analytics shows several spikes of interest in ‘Basic Income’: none greater than in the past few weeks. Over 100 MPs and Peers from Labour, the SNP, the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and the Greens signed a letter backing a ‘Recovery Basic Income’ in recent weeks.
The logical case for a basic income now has further empirical support. In Finland, the results of the first nationwide, randomised Basic Income trial in the world were recently released. The scheme did not have the negative effects on employment forecast by critics; if anything, it was positive. Crucially, those who received a Basic Income experienced significant uptick in their mental health, reporting a greater feeling of autonomy over their lives, trust in society, alongside a reduction in depression and loneliness. Wellbeing is a vital measure of economic insecurity: these results show the importance of this and in the current situation, getting cash to people is vital.
