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Bristol Green councillors have put forward a motion to Bristol City Council calling for the Government to fund a trial of universal basic income (UBI) in the city.
A universal basic income offers a non-means-tested sum paid by the state to cover the basic cost of living and is paid to all citizens individually, regardless of employment status, wealth, or marital status.
The motion calls on the Government to fund a trial for the creative sector in Bristol, as well as other groups that may benefit, such as care leavers, that has recently been recognised as a protected characteristic.
It would not be paid for through council tax rises or cuts to local services and would be designed to build a robust evidence base for national policy.
Cllr Ani Townsend, who will put forward the motion at a meeting of the full council on Tuesday, said; “Universal Basic Income would provide everyone with the means to support themselves, and could dramatically change the welfare system, including addressing the huge costs associated with homelessness.
“Evidence has shown that it would alleviate poverty, be directly beneficial to people’s wellbeing, could radically redistribute wealth and empower entrepreneurial thinking.
“It is the fairest, most effective way to mitigate the effects of COVID 19, the advance of artificial intelligence, the climate emergency, and continued economic uncertainty on people’s incomes.
“We are calling for a trial, funded by the central government, for the creative sector and other groups who would benefit most. Wales have just completed a trial for care leavers, and Ireland has run a successful trial for artists that is set to be made permanent.
“Other cities like Sheffield, Birmingham and Brighton and Hove have all called for trials. Now, it’s time to do the same in Bristol.”
The motion notes that many other councils, such as Sheffield and Birmingham, have called for trials of UBI, and a network of Universal Basic Income Labs has been set up and works with local authorities across the UK.
UBI trials have also taken place in many countries, including Wales, which has recently completed a positively received trial for care leavers, globally the most ambitious to date, and Ireland has run a successful trial for artists which will be made permanent in 2026.
Cllr Guy Poultney, who will be seconding the motion, said “We can either keep trapping people in a cycle of debt, and a never-ending cost of living crisis or we can give everyone the security of knowing that their needs and their kids needs will be met.
“It’s a simple choice: we stop wasting billions on administering a cruel and complicated bureaucracy, and we start putting that money directly into the pockets of hard-working people instead.”