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Not much time has passed since the last update from us – yet we have seen several developments with great significance to the Basic Income movement, both in Scotland and beyond.
Bear with us! This is a long one.
News & Updates – Jack
Once again, the conditions which prompt many to look to Basic Income for solutions persist. Basic Income Network Scotland continues to advocate for the policy through actions like signing BIEN’s submission to the report “Roadmap for Eradicating Poverty Beyond Growth” to the UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights. National newspapers continue to argue for more universal benefits and the serious consideration of Basic Income, with some calling its introduction as a moral imperative:
Whether we’re discussing an independent Scotland seeking to create a better country for all of us or even just a cynical UK trying to save money in the face of a humiliating attempt to crush the poor, here is a solution we should all support. Eradicate poverty, save money, implement a Universal Basic Income. (What Scottish independence could deliver for the welfare state, The National)
However, whilst much continues, we see a potentially significant and substantive development in Scotland. In June, the Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) Expert Group published their final report on how MIG might be delivered in Scotland. The report has been met with a flurry of misleading reporting on the policy proposal. We look forward to dissecting the full report and taking a closer look through a basic income lens. In the meantime, our Chair Professor Mike Danson provides an initial reflection on this encouraging contribution.
We welcome this report as a sober and robust contribution to how we want to ensure everyone in Scotland has genuine and real social security. The aims and many of the arguments for a Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) are the same as we have been putting forward for a Basic Income in Scotland, but to paraphrase the Expert Group: “Our aim is to evolve from the [MIG] to create something fairer and far better. A [Basic Income as a] distinct approach to our social contract in Scotland”.
Similarly for Basic Income, many of the challenges of implementing a MIG are dependent on “greater flexibility or cooperation with the UK Government”, and we look forward to seeing how Whitehall ministries and departments apply objective and rational analyses to addressing these requests.
Organisations are already getting behind this proposal and using the language of Basic Income to argue for trials. Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum (Staf) have already called on the Scottish Government to pilot MIG for care leavers, arguing it “would ensure no young person leaving care falls below a basic income level”. Not only are organisations using the language of Basic Income to justify calls for MIG, but they also seem to be taking inspiration from already promising Basic Income for care leavers trial in Wales. This suggests that others clearly see the link between MIG and Basic Income, and how one may pave the way for the other.
Beyond the devolved nations, an emerging lobby group, Basic Income for Farmers, is advocating for a regular, unconditional cash payment made directly to farmers, farmworkers, and food producers.
Read the full report here: Sowing the seeds of stability.
The idea gained traction in the media last year as the case was outlined for transforming the often overlooked but hugely important agricultural sector. This is of particular relevance to us as Scottish farm profits were cut by half in 2023/24. It is vital we expand the evidence on how a Basic Income will be crucial for distinct sectors and groupings. However, as the list grows of such groups arguing for Basic Income trials for them alone (care leavers in Wales, farmers in the UK, artists in Ireland, screen freelancers in Scotland) – it only further underlines that to maximise transformative potential in our societies – we need a Basic Income for all.
On an international level, Basic Income seems to edge ever closer to reality. Within the movement, murmurs have said that it will come down to a race between Brazil and South Korea for a full national implementation of Basic Income. Keeping with that spirit, the 24th BIEN Congress will take place in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, 25-29th August. Eight cities in Rio de Janeiro have already adopted some kind of cash transfer policy or created their own local currencies.
Check out the BIEN2025 website to find out more. With a large Basic Income Network Scotland contingent attending BIEN2024 in Bath, we would highly encourage anyone who is able to attend.
Meanwhile, a friend of the Basic Income movement was voted in as President in South Korea in June. Lee Jae Myung has a long and well documented history of support for Basic Income and has worked on several smaller scale cash-transfer schemes. It would seem the race is on.
The Latest from the DWP – Lena
Over the last few months, changes to government spending on social security, specifically support for disabled people has been consistent front page news. Yet, alarmingly, the political drama around the rebellions from Westminster’s backbenches seemed to dominate the story. We heard less about the disastrous effects of these cuts on people’s lives.
Basic Income Network Scotland is deeply concerned by the recent reductions to Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP). We believe everyone should have unconditional access to the financial means to live with dignity.
These cuts will almost certainly deepen inequality and hardship for those already struggling. They illustrate the need for the campaign for a basic income as people now more than ever need consistent, secure financial support, and an end to complex and punitive benefit systems.
Get in touch with team@cbin.scot if you would like to write a blog or suggest a feature for the August newsletter.