by Josh Martin | Aug 16, 2014 | News
[Josh Martin]
In a recent publication the Scottish Green Party stated its plan for a basic income (called a citizen’s income in their writing) for Scotland if they vote for independence in the upcoming referendum. With the slogan of “Green Yes”, the Scottish Greens agree with the UK Greens on supporting a basic income. In the eight-page publication, the Scottish Greens discuss why a citizen’s income is the right way forward by highlighting the flaws of the current system and the benefits a citizen’s income would bring to Scotland.
The document also outlines their initial plan for a citizen’s income in Scotland: £50 a week for children and young people under sixteen, £100 a week for 16-18 year olds and working-age adults, and £150 a week for pensioners, totaling just under £1 billion to implement. They then go on to discuss funding options for such a policy. In sum the Scottish Greens call upon voters to vote yes to independence in hopes that they could then implement this policy.
To read the publication, follow the links below:
Scottish Green Party, “Citizen’s Income”, Green Yes briefing note, 10 August 2014.
“Greens Publish Citizen’s Income Plan for Fairer Scotland”, Scottish Green Party, 10 August 2014.
The Scottish Green Party Supports a Citizen's Income (Source: Scottish Green Party)
by Josh Martin | Aug 15, 2014 | News
[Josh Martin]
Green party leader Natalie Bennett, in an interview with BuzzFeed, declared that support for a universal basic income will be among the party’s major positions in their manifesto for the 2015 election. Current polls have the Greens receiving six percent of the vote in 2015, up from 0.9 percent in 2010.
To read the post on BuzzFeed, click on the following link:
Jon Stone, “Green Party To Give “Universal Income” A Front-Row Seat In Its Manifesto”, BuzzFeed, 8 August 2014.
Green Party leader Natalie Bennett says her party will support a basic income (Source: BuzzFeed)
by Josh Martin | Jul 15, 2014 | Research
[Josh Martin]
The author of this post begins by highlighting the issues with the current benefits system in the UK: it is too confusing, too complex, and too inefficient. Further, the recent emphasis on employment as the best route out of poverty has proven false. Research has shown that even full-time work cannot guarantee one’s financial well-being. The author then shows why the recently created Universal Credit will fail and why the ideal benefits system is a negative income tax that establishes a guaranteed minimum income (much like a basic income). This system will save the government money and will help ease the transition into an even more technological economy.
The Conversative, “Should the Conservative Party adopt a Negative Income Tax?”, The ConVersative, 7 July 2014.
Negative Income Tax Scenarios (Credit: The ConVersative)
by Karl Widerquist | Jun 26, 2014 | Research
SUMMARY: This article discusses the Coca-Cola company’s mistreatment of its international workforce and concludes, “These are not the guardians of anyone’s welfare but their own. Basic income is that by which corporate largesse becomes unnecessary, and we are made our brother’s and sister’s keepers—whether we like it or not.”
David Jenkins, “Happiness is Coca Cola apparently.” Basic Income UK, May 16, 2014
Happiness is Coca Cola apparently -Basic Income UK
by Karl Widerquist | Jun 25, 2014 | Research
SUMMARY: This article discusses the history of Britains desire to judge poor people’s motives rather than addressing their needs, and suggests basic income as a new approach.
Frances Coppola, “Categorising the poor.” Pieria, May 27th 2014.
Categorising the poor -Pieria
