Universal Basic Income/Tackle Wealth Inequality

Tackling wealth inequality in Scotland by trialling a universal basic income, ensuring that everyone has enough to eat and stay warm and capping CEO and management salaries to a relative percentage of the lowest paid worker in any given organisation.

Why the contribution is important

The current pandemic has shown us more than ever that our key workers are essential for keeping the wheels turning in all aspects of our lives, and also that the poor are disproportionally affected by the virus, with worse outcomes than in affluent areas. "Key workers" are typically undervalued and underpaid and it would be great to see this addressed in the response to the pandemic. Along with making sure that everyone has enough money to eat and keep warm, the wealth inequality across the UK is quite simply an embarrassment, and should be utterly unacceptable to all.

by moragpaterson on May 09, 2020 at 10:54AM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.5
Based on: 25 votes

Comments

  • Posted by Rm89 May 09, 2020 at 11:00

    I'm a social care key worker and already pay £500 a month in tax and £300 a month in NI. I don't want to pay more tax to supply a UBI. Fix the benefits system and UBI will not be needed. Look at what happened with London when they announced the tax subsidy. Rent went up across the board and everyone is where they are now. UBI is not the solution, making sure the most vulnerable have access to a proper aid and benefits system is the way forward.

  • Posted by Tom9nn May 09, 2020 at 11:33

    Trial UBI to find out the pros and cons. Those earning very high income by working or investing should pay more so that poorer people are not taking on the burden of the UBI.

  • Posted by SteveR57 May 09, 2020 at 11:58

    Utopian. Whilst this is a great idea the simple reality is that it won’t work. Look at countries who have tried it and make a measured assessment of the concept both philosophically and economically

  • Posted by Elkie May 09, 2020 at 13:46

    Has any country ever really tried it? It can only work, if every single adult person receives the same amount and all other benefits stop, except provision for children. Any income on top of this need to be taxed in tiers. The highest earners carrying the brunt of the burden. The biggest risk would be money losing its value. Government would have to make sure that the UBI really allows for basic living in dignity. Luxuries would be the incentive to work for those who need an incentive, or luxuries.

  • Posted by Dave_H May 09, 2020 at 14:50

    One proposal I heard was a UBI system but then zero tax allowance above that, so anything you earn is taxed with no tax free amount, but still a progressive tax structure so higher earners pay more tax.

  • Posted by Stephen666 May 09, 2020 at 15:33

    I agree with the concept of UBI, but do not think that its impact is sufficiently considered across so many issues in the economy. It is a fundamental change, and assuming that employers do not take UBI into account in salary levels is simply wrong. What it does do is it brings in greater worker flexibility where jobs are cut or reduced, but there are local shortages because of travel restrictions, whether local or otherwise. It is a fundamental to a healthy society that is inclusive of the poorer half of society, i.e. those earning less than about £26,000. CEO salary multipliers are awkward, but would likely result in local manager multipliers, with the CEO reflecting a multiplier on these local managers, if the branches were locally/regionally tax based.
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