Universal Basic Income

One of the difficulties we face is that asymptomatic people can not always afford to self-isolate for 14 days due to fear of losing their income. This can risk food poverty or even job loss. This risk is highest in areas of social deprivation, high unemployment and where there is greater reliance on the gig economy, the same areas where covid tends to be more pervasive and the disease progression more severe.
A further difficulty is that throughout Scotland, many people are increasingly struggling with their mental and emotional wellbeing due to the various impacts of isolation, anxiety and the erosion of personal freedoms. At its worst, people can feel there is nowhere to turn and the potential loss of income due to extended absence or job loss can for some, be desperate.
Universal Basic Income has the potential of removing the fear and anxiety related to loss of earnings, sometimes including the stigma of food poverty. Instead, it could bring dignity to all, especially during times of vulnerability.
For people who are required to self isolate, it would remove the barrier of earnings loss and therefore improve compliance and reduce transmission risk.

The outcomes from this challenging year risk being overwhelmingly negative. But, through investing in every person of working age in Scotland by providing a universal basic income, there is the potential for our society to be even stronger, fairer and happier. That way, something truly transformational could come out of 2020.