Gwynedd Council backs trial for Universal Basic Income

Councillors in Gwynedd have backed calls for the county to become a pilot area for universal basic income (UBI), offering residents a non-means-tested fixed sum paid by the government to cover the basic cost of living.

Such a state financial support system, which would replace the traditional benefits system and is said to ensure “a level playing field for all”, would see all residents be eligible - whatever their situation and whether they’re employed or not.

Under the system - which has been trialed in other countries citizens are handed a sum of money from the state to cover the basic cost of living.

It is paid to all individuals, regardless of their personal circumstances, wealth, employment or personal status.

Proposing the motion, which will now be delivered to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Chancellor and other influencial politicians, Cllr Elin Walker Jones said that Gwynedd would be “ideal” for such a trial.

The Plaid Cymru member for Bangor’s Glyder ward added her belief that such a system would tackle the impacts on employment prospects and household incomes post-Covid, as well as other factors, such as Brexit, future automation and artificial intelligence.

Her motion was seconded by Cllr Mair Rowlands, but not all members were supportive.

Labour member Cllr Sion Jones said: “It doesn’t take an economics student to figure out that if you hand out money to everyone then inflation will shoot through the roof.

“I’m glad we have a government in Wales that doesn’t support such a thing and would ask you to take this a bit more seriously.

“The economy would be destroyed with the price of a loaf of bread being £5.”

The motion was backed by 35 votes to one, with nine abstentions.