Universal basic income of £1,600 a month to be trialled in England

5 June 2023, 10:23

People in two trial areas in England will be given a universal basic income of
People in two trial areas in England will be given a universal basic income of. Picture: Alamy

By Asher McShane

People in England will be given a £1,600 lump sum with no conditions every month for two years under a trial of universal basic income (UBI).

Thirty people will be given the sum and the results will be observed to help understand the impacts of UBI.

The trial scheme will take place in central Jarrow in north-east England, and East Finchley in north London.

The think tank Autonomy which is backing the plan, said in a statement: “This is a substantial amount. Universal Basic Income usually covers people’s basic needs but we want to see what effect this unconditional lump sum has on people’s mental and physical health, whether they choose to work or not.

Read more: Tearful Holly Willoughby says she's been 'let down' by Phillip Schofield's lies as she returns to This Morning

Listen and subscribe to Unprecedented: Inside Downing Street on Global Player

“Our society is going to require some form of basic income in the coming years, given the tumult of climate change, tech disruption and industrial transition that lies ahead. This is why building the evidence base and public engagement now is so important, so the ground is well prepared for national implementation.”

Autonomy says it hopes the trial will "make the case for a national basic income and more comprehensive trials to fully understand the potential of a basic income in the UK".

The idea of UBI sees the state paying all individuals a set income regardless of their means.

Would-be participants living in the trial areas are being encourage to come forward and will be chosen at random to take part.

The organisers say the group selected will need to be ‘representative’ and made up of 20% of people with disabilities.

Participants can remain anonymous.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Meghan's 'secret support for Charles' amid royal 'racism row'

Meghan's secret sign of support for Charles as senior royals prepare to meet for the first time since racism row erupted

Evacuation after a storm

Heavy rains leave several dead before storm Michaung makes landfall in India

Jacek Siewiera, the chief of Poland's National Security Bureau, said Nato has three years to prepare for Russian attack

Nato has three years to prepare for a Russian attack, Poland warns as fears grow over another Putin offensive

The branches have now been reattached by tree surgeons, who hammered the branches back into the tree on Monday afternoon.

'Spruced up': 'Half dead' Trafalgar Square Christmas tree praised for being 'best in years' after 'branch transplant'

James Cleverly arrives in Rwanda ahead of the signing of the new treaty

Home Secretary James Cleverly hails ‘robust’ new Rwanda migrant deal treaty designed to get planes in the air next spring

In order to appear on the ballot, candidates need to secure the nomination of 20 Oireachtas (Irish Assembly) members or four local authorities.

Conor McGregor throws hat into Irish political ring and hints at running for president in 2025 election

The ancient vase

British Museum loan to Greece coincides with dispute over Elgin Marbles

The 'real-life criminals' that inspired GTA 6's new characters

From Bonnie and Clyde to the 'Miami Joker': The real-life criminals that have 'inspired' GTA 6 'Vice City'

A British Medical Association (BMA) picket outside University College Hospital in October

Junior doctors to stage fresh wave of strikes over Christmas and New Year period after rejecting new pay offer

Police and paramedics swept on Aberfan

'Heavily pregnant' woman, 29, stabbed in Aberfan street as schools locked down and armed police hunt on-the-run knifeman

Party leaders

Norwegian government makes deal over deep sea mining in Arctic Ocean

Prince Harry is taking legal action against the Home Office over a decision not to allow him to fund the same protection as when he was a working royal.

Prince Harry 'unjustifiably treated less favourably than others' over his UK security arrangements, High Court hears

The woman was paddleboarding when she was attacked by the shark. (stock images)

Boston newlywed, 44, killed in shark attack while paddleboarding in Bahamas

Kate Middleton visited Evelina London this morning

Business as usual: Kate brushes aside royal race row as she opens life-changing unit at children's hospital

Drone attack damage

Deadly Russian shelling hits southern Ukrainian city

Indonesia Volcano Eruption

Death toll from Indonesia volcano eruption rises to 22