Pledge for Universal Basic Income in wider Liverpool region

Here in the north west, inequality is widening and people’s income is becoming more precarious. Pay remains poor, while the area’s hardworking families face new hardships. Millions of people have fallen through the gaps of government support schemes since the start of the pandemic.

It will take more than our outdated welfare system to help our households recover from the ongoing effects of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis.

Towns and cities across the area are struggling to rebuild a fairer and greener economy. This can only happen if all citizens have access to a basic level of economic security.

The creation of a Universal Basic Income (UBI) – a regular and unconditional cash payment to every resident – could be an important part of the solution.

The evidence shows that unconditional cash payments reduce poverty and remove the stigma of means-tested benefits. They let people have greater control over their time. They give everyone the financial and mental bandwidth to unlock their potential.

Before the pandemic, the cost of poverty in the UK was a staggering £78 billion a year. It's time to try something new.

From Catalonia to California, cities around the world are piloting UBI. They've found that their citizens live happier and healthier lives, with more time devoted to education, family and wellbeing. A new YouGov poll shows that 50% of Londoners support UBI, and our research suggests that level of support exists locally here too.

A UBI would allow us to build resilience into our communities and high streets. It would boost the local economy, revitalising our independent businesses and creative industries. It would make our city fairer, giving everyone the chance to participate.

A Universal Basic Income could be our generation's NHS.

The London Assembly has already completed a first stage evaluation of UBI, and 30 councils across the UK have passed motions backing pilots. The Welsh Government will launch a basic income pilot this summer. We have strength in numbers, and the more that council chambers across the wider Liverpool region come in to support UBI, the greater the chance of seeing a form of UBI implemented in the years to come.

Now is the time for action.

As a councillor, I will:

• Support calls to pilot Universal Basic Income in my community

• Lobby the government and my own party leadership on this issue

• Work across-parties for a fairer and greener economy, that includes piloting a Universal Basic Income

Are you standing in the wider Liverpool region elections?

Councillor candidate pledge form

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