Agenda item

The following Motion has been submitted in the name of Councillor Steve Masters:

The pandemic has highlighted the need for the nation and local authorities to be better prepared for future shocks, to protect the livelihoods of residents and protect frontline services and infrastructure from being put under costly pressure.

One idea that needs our further consideration is Universal Basic Income (UBI) - a system whereby the state provides a regular, unconditional minimum income for all citizens. This system would replace the means-tested benefits system, saving millions in administrative and delivery costs. Earners above higher tax thresholds would be net contributors via their taxes. The concept has attracted support from across the political spectrum and we now need to look at how it could protect and support the people of West Berkshire.

Council acknowledges that government measures such as the Job Retention Scheme (furlough) and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme have helped many people and businesses in West Berkshire during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, unemployment is rising and is likely to grow further in the coming months. Ahead of us is a very unpredictable future and people across the county have already shouldered a huge burden.

Faced with the unprecedented challenge of recovery, we must seek to do everything we can to provide the economic security, peace of mind and support that people need to retrain and create new opportunities that will enable them to provide for their families and rebuild their lives. 

Council notes that:

a) Poverty does great damage to life chances, and that work is no longer a guaranteed route out of poverty (seven in ten children in poverty are in a working family according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation).

b) The pandemic has forced more people into poverty, with increasing numbers of residents having to turn to charity such as food banks.

c) The growing challenge of automation has been accelerated by the pandemic and puts many more jobs at risk.

d) The Council’s Strategy 2019-2023 ‘priorities for improvement’ include ‘support everyone to reach their full potential’ and ‘support businesses to start, develop and thrive’. UBI could enable the residents of West Berkshire to fulfil their full potential by having the time to (re)train and potentially start new businesses.

e) UBI would have a positive effect on mental health. People who lose their jobs would have a safety net and breathing space to find a similar job rather than being forced to take the first low-paid and unskilled job they can find.

f) UBI would give people the time to become more involved in their community and support their neighbours, as so many have done during the pandemic.

Council therefore:

1) Supports in principle a Universal Basic Income, recognising the impact this could have on alleviating poverty and inequality, improving mental health and wellbeing, and enabling both businesses and employees to adjust to the challenges of Covid-19, technological change, and the climate crisis.

2) Agrees to set up a cross-party panel to explore, with the local community, how a UBI trial could be established in West Berkshire, and to seek government funding for such a scheme.

3) Calls upon the government to provide funding for this and other trials to test how a UBI could support citizens across the country at this time of need, make inroads towards the Prime Minister’s commitment to ‘level up’, and help everyone play a role in getting the UK economy back on a path to recovery.

The Council considered the under mentioned Motion (agenda item 18(d) refers) submitted in the name of Councillor Steve Masters.

The Chairman informed the Council that under Procedural Rule 4.9.8 the motion, if seconded, would be debated at the meeting.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Steve Masters and seconded by Councillor Lee Dillon:

“The pandemic has highlighted the need for the nation and local authorities to be better prepared for future shocks, to protect the livelihoods of residents and protect frontline services and infrastructure from being put under costly pressure.

One idea that needs our further consideration is Universal Basic Income (UBI) - a system whereby the state provides a regular, unconditional minimum income for all citizens. This system would replace the means-tested benefits system, saving millions in administrative and delivery costs. Earners above higher tax thresholds would be net contributors via their taxes. The concept has attracted support from across the political spectrum and we now need to look at how it could protect and support the people of West Berkshire.

Council acknowledges that government measures such as the Job Retention Scheme (furlough) and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme have helped many people and businesses in West Berkshire during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, unemployment is rising and is likely to grow further in the coming months. Ahead of us is a very unpredictable future and people across the county have already shouldered a huge burden.

Faced with the unprecedented challenge of recovery, we must seek to do everything we can to provide the economic security, peace of mind and support that people need to retrain and create new opportunities that will enable them to provide for their families and rebuild their lives. 

Council notes that:

a) Poverty does great damage to life chances, and that work is no longer a guaranteed route out of poverty (seven in ten children in poverty are in a working family according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation).

b) The pandemic has forced more people into poverty, with increasing numbers of residents having to turn to charity such as food banks.

c) The growing challenge of automation has been accelerated by the pandemic and puts many more jobs at risk.

d) The Council’s Strategy 2019-2023 ‘priorities for improvement’ include ‘support everyone to reach their full potential’ and ‘support businesses to start, develop and thrive’. UBI could enable the residents of West Berkshire to fulfil their full potential by having the time to (re)train and potentially start new businesses.

e) UBI would have a positive effect on mental health. People who lose their jobs would have a safety net and breathing space to find a similar job rather than being forced to take the first low-paid and unskilled job they can find.

f) UBI would give people the time to become more involved in their community and support their neighbours, as so many have done during the pandemic.

Council therefore:

1) Supports in principle a Universal Basic Income, recognising the impact this could have on alleviating poverty and inequality, improving mental health and wellbeing, and enabling both businesses and employees to adjust to the challenges of Covid-19, technological change, and the climate crisis.

2) Agrees to set up a cross-party panel to explore, with the local community, how a UBI trial could be established in West Berkshire, and to seek government funding for such a scheme.

3) Calls upon the government to provide funding for this and other trials to test how a UBI could support citizens across the country at this time of need, make inroads towards the Prime Minister’s commitment to ‘level up’, and help everyone play a role in getting the UK economy back on a path to recovery.”

The Motion was put to the vote and declared LOST.