£1600 per month basic income

[Odds]

I'll be potentially contentious and say I don't necessarily buy into the assertion (often put across in tv progs and by certain politicians) that only a very small percentage of people not working would rather work. I think, if people not working told the truth, the percentage would be higher than reported. Btw I'm not blaming them for not fully disclosing their thoughts on working, why would you, I'm just stating what I believe to be true. If someone is getting by on their benefits and is quite happy with their lot, why seek work? I'm not sure I would tbh. Yeah yeah you get all the rhetoric about it building character, being good for mental health, contributing to society etc. However depending on the sort of role being offered, the aforementioned benefits to working might soon wear off, let's be honest.

I think what gets folks backs up is the fact a high percentage of the population aren't exactly happy in their employment. I'm sure a study x years back found 70+% of us would rather be doing something else as a career, sad really. In that sense, although we're not all wage slaves in the traditional sense of the phrase, it can be asserted we are slaves to our work as we need to keep the money coming in.

I further think this, understandably, is what gets folks hackles up when schemes like this are suggested i.e. looked on as free money. It's a case of 'I have to work (maybe in a job I hate) why shouldn't you?' Many of us would like to sit back with the free time to pursue more creative activities, however we need to keep doing the 9-5.

Fair point(s) - but throw the role AI will increasingly play in our lives and what do you think will happen to the low-wage/unskilled workforce in future, when drones can, and will, do the work? How will this play out in the face of increasing immigration to developed countries and a demand for an increased birthrate to counteract the decline in some countries, like Japan?
A basic income is a necessity all our citizens will demand when prices keep going up in the way they are now and will continue to do so.

 

[JohnD]

My original point was- £1600 a month foc is a ridiculous idea.

But you don't say that the minimum wage is too low?

Or that income tax should not start at £12,570 p.a?

Do you agree that exploitative employers should get away with paying low wages because the taxpayer subsidises these employers by giving their workers enough extra to live on?

 

[diy_fun_uk]

Fair point(s) - but throw the role AI will increasingly play in our lives and what do you think will happen to the low-wage/unskilled workforce in future, when drones can, and will, do the work? How will this play out in the face of increasing immigration to developed countries and a demand for an increased birthrate to counteract the decline in some countries, like Japan?
A basic income is a necessity all our citizens will demand when prices keep going up in the way they are now and will continue to do so.

I don't disagree and, depending on how it matures, AI might be capable of doing more complex roles i.e. not just lower skilled. I think I mentioned earlier in this thread or perhaps another that future developments in tech/AI will undoubtedly require a rethink around how folk receive an income. I'm not asserting that piloting such schemes as per this thread is wrong, I'm just stating the wider point why those currently working often disagree with such schemes.

 

[Deleted member 221031]

But you don't say that the minimum wage is too low?

Or that income tax should not start at £12,570 p.a?

Do you agree that exploitative employers should get away with paying low wages because the taxpayer subsidises these employers by giving their workers enough extra to live on?

Not one bit.

I agree the minimum wage isn’t enough now.

 

[Deleted member 221031]

I don't disagree and, depending on how it matures, AI might be capable of doing more complex roles i.e. not just lower skilled. I think I mentioned earlier in this thread or perhaps another that future developments in tech/AI will undoubtedly require a rethink around how folk receive an income.

Maybe that’s the plan. The government knows that a lot more people will be unemployed and to keep them happy sat at home, they give them £1600.

Which won’t work. But it’s about right for the current uk governments thought train.

 

[JohnD]

Not one bit.

I agree the minimum wage isn’t enough now.

A better minimum wage could reduce poverty, and taxpayer subsidises to employers paying low wages.

It might also give hope and self -respect to the workers we need.

And reduce the need for handouts to the poor.

What's not to like?

 

[denso13]

Which won’t work. But it’s about right for the current uk governments thought train.

It isn't a government idea. It's an independent research body who are doing it.

 

[denso13]

Just quote the bit saying it’s “taxed” he can’t, he won’t.

He will, I don't write anything I can't back up.

"Payment: £1,600 per month (pre-tax) to each participant for two years"

Page 39, https://autonomy.work/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/BASINC.pdf

 

[denso13]

I've read the link that was posted up which I assume is the one under discussion and reads to me £1600 no strings attached

"Payment: £1,600 per month (pre-tax) to each participant for two years"

Page 39, https://autonomy.work/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/BASINC.pdf

 

[Deleted member 221031]

He will, I don't write anything I can't back up.

"Payment: £1,600 per month (pre-tax) to each participant for two years"

Page 39, https://autonomy.work/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/BASINC.pdf

That wasn’t in the “report” as you called it.

So that’s irrelevant!

 

[denso13]

That wasn’t in the “report” as you called it.

What are you on about, that is the report referred to in the MSM.

 

[Deleted member 221031]

A better minimum wage could reduce poverty, and taxpayer subsidises to employers paying low wages.

It might also give hope and self -respect to the workers we need.

And reduce the need for handouts to the poor.

What's not to like?

Are the 30 people working ?

My point is a lot of people would sit at home for £1600, even after tax.

Yeah of course give people a better wage to enable them to live a decent standard of life. But 2 unemployed people on £3200 a month. That’s not good.

 

[Deleted member 221031]

What are you on about, that is the report referred to in the MSM.

I’ve not read it so can’t comment on it.

My comments where based on the sky article and nothing else.

 

[JohnD]

That wasn’t in the “report” as you called it.

So that’s irrelevant!

Was it a "Sky" report you were looking at?

 

[denso13]

I’ve not read it so can’t comment on it.

That's obvious. Much better to investigate than blindly believe the MSM.