Universal basic income in the United Kingdom

Universal basic income is a subject of much interest in the United Kingdom. There is a long history of discussion yet it has not been implemented to date. Interest in and support for universal basic income has increased substantially amongst the public and politicians in recent years.[1]

Political parties that include universal basic income on their agenda include: the Green Party of England and Wales, the Scottish National Party (SNP), and the Scottish Greens. Support for universal basic income is widespread amongst opposition politicians, including Labour, SNP, Liberal Democrats, and Plaid Cymru,[2] many of whom were among the 170 MPs and Lords who signed a proposal calling on the government to introduce a universal basic income during the coronavirus pandemic.[2]

A public poll by YouGov in 2020 found that in the view of coronavirus pandemic 51% of the public in the United Kingdom support a universal basic income, with 24% unsupportive.[1][3] A public petition on the UK government website that ran for six months from 16 March 2020 to 16 September 2020 calling for universal basic income during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom raised over 114,000 signatures.[4]

  1. ^ a b Stone, Jon (27 April 2020). "Public support universal basic income". The Independent. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  2. ^ a b Stone, Jon (20 March 2020). "Over 170 MPs and Lords call for universal basic income during pandemic". The Independent. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  3. ^ "Thinking about the financial impact of a crisis like the Coronavirus pandemic, to what extent, if at all, would you support or oppose the government introducing the following permanent measures?" (PDF) (Report). YouGov. Retrieved 12 May 2020. TOTAL SUPPORTIVE 51; TOTAL UNSUPPORTIVE 24
  4. ^ "Labour MP: The pandemic reinforces the case for a Universal Basic Income". Left Foot Forward. 28 September 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.