The Basic Income Society and How to Get There
1:15-4.15 PM, Thursday 20 July
Event link is here
Update July 12: We have changed our plans for the conference because of the rail strike on Thursday 20th July. We will postpone the in-person Basic Income North conference and instead have a Basic Income North symposium from 1.15pm to 4.15pm on the same day. This is to be followed by a series of 30-minute fortnightly ‘deep dive’ conversations with experts on different aspects of Basic Income later in the year. Speakers include Andy Burnham, Kate Pickett and others. More info can be found here and the schedule of the day:
UBI Lab Manchester and the RSA (Royal Society of Arts) North have been working hard to put together a fantastic programme for this year’s conference. Speakers who are joining us so far include:
- Mayor Andy Burnham – mayor of Greater Manchester
- Councillor Astrid Johnson – Leader of the Green Group on Manchester City Council
- Professor Kate Pickett – author of The Spirit Level
- Jonathan Williams – UBI Lab Wales, who has been involved in the Care Leavers’ BI Pilot
- Dr Simon Duffy – Citizen Network
- Caroline Richardson – Spartacus
- Dr Elliot Johnson – Northumbria University
- Maddy Radcliff – Musicians’ Union
- Dr Dave Beck – Salford University
- Laura Bannister- Equal Right
It will be a fascinating day looking at Basic Income and the climate, homelessness, ethical business, disability, the unions and more. The day will evolve from more theoretical discussions on UBI to how we can make it a reality. We will hear about the pilots both running and proposed in Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England.
Family allowance has been around since 1700s and has changed its name many times to where it is now, child benefit. Now it has always been in the hands of politicians and their political will. If child benefits where at the percentages they was in the beginning of 1900 it would now be £90.00 per week.
My personal view UBI does little for self esteem and puts all on politicians, they have proven tone untrustworthy.
Therefore I put the case for job guarantee system. Where society can create meaningful employment with community wealth, where workers can create tax revenue thus giving back to society as a whole thus improving self esteem and happy communities.
Peter Forrest’s thinking is refreshing. He will surely share more of the how to! I submitted in March 2022 to BIEN a 300 words write up for the conference in Sydney. DISCARDED. The idea was for an out of the box conceptual, for a debate to introduce a Caring & Sharing Income (CASHIN). In return of one day a week doing any community chore, to the best of one’s abilities. 12.55% of German GDP will suffice a CASHIN for every citizen while halving the current 25% of GDP country spends now for million of welfare programs. Doable in every country. I for one believe the narrative to introduce “UI” must be reimagined, broadened and CASHIN has most ingredients to compel Politicians to see the far reaching benefits.