THE TORY Works and Pensions secretary has been accused of “sheer bloody minded ignorance” after rejecting calls to consider Universal Basic Income trials.
Writing in the Times ahead of a major speech, David Gauke, dismissed the proposal which would drastically overhaul the welfare state by providing every individual in the country with enough money to cover their basic needs. He said the policy would be “ineffective” and “unaffordable”.
Gauke wrote: “People have a right to expect that the government will help them when they’re down to find work, adapt to economic change and provide support to the most vulnerable in our society
READ MORE: Fury after Chancellor Philip Hammond claims that the disabled damage the economy
“But a basic universal basic income would be ineffective because it is — by definition — poorly targeted. An affordable basic income would be inadequate and a basic income adequate for all would be unaffordable.
“The future welfare state needs to provide support that is flexible, personal and holistic to help everyone to make the most of a changing economy. Universal credit is an important step toward that future.”
SNP MP Ronnie Cowan, who has long championed the universal or compulsory basic income, called Gauke’s argument “shallow”.
“While he dismisses Basic Income which is being trialed and investigated around the globe, people are being let down by our existing system and it’s often the most vulnerable people in our society that are worst affected.
“But the UK Government remains unmoved. They have a fixed mindset based in very little or no research. “
The Inverclyde MP urged the minister to follow the example of the Scottish Government: “I am asking them to fund basic income trials so the UK Government can then make informed, evidence based policy decisions. This would be a refreshing change to their current stance of governing from a stance of sheer bloody minded ignorance. “
Once considered a policy belonging firmly to the radical left, polling by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Bath found that 49 per cent of 18 to 75-year-olds supported the introduction of a Universal Basic Income.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel