The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Fife approves three-year welfare alternative pilot
Conservative group hits out, saying it is unlikely to be replicated across Scotland
Fife has backed plans for a three-year pilot which could see more than 17,000 Scots given a payment, regardless of their wealth, employment or personal status.
Members of Fife Council’s policy and co-ordination committee supported the findings of a study group which had been looking into the feasibility of a trial whereby individuals would receive cash without any work or qualification requirement.
Backers say such a pilot could provide a better understanding of how a Citizens Basic Income (CBI) could impact on poverty, unemployment, health and financial wellbeing.
Critics have branded the plans unworkable and questioned how the £186 million-plus pilot cost would be met.
Fife has been at the forefront of the drive towards a basic income pilot and is the frontrunner to host the test, having worked jointly with North Ayrshire, Glasgow and Edinburgh on exploring the idea since 2017.
More details about how the pilot could work were revealed in a report to Fife councillors, with a three-year scheme – and one year’s preparation time – thought to be sufficient.
A steering group has proposed two levels of payment.
Initial estimates suggest that approach would cost around £62m for a sample size of 2,500 at a high level of CBI and £124.5m for a sample size of 14,600 at the lower level of CBI.
Councillor Judy Hamilton, the region’s community and housing convener, said the CBI could offer an alternative to the “absolutely discredited” Universal Credit.
“This is a massively significant report on a Citizens Basic Income that is being presented to us and I must recognise Paul Vaughan and all the officers who have produced such a comprehensive study and such practical proposals for a pilot scheme.
“It could provide the opportunity to recognise the value of carers who are currently unpaid, support parents to provide childcare, provide a stimulus and a safety net to support people into small new businesses and address poverty in our communities.”
Fife will now recommend to the Scottish Government that a pilot is pursued, in conjunction with the UK Government, DWP and HMRC.
Fife’s Conservative group had suggested scrapping the idea before it starts but their bid to do so was rejected by 17 votes to four.
“
This is a massively significant report on a Citizens Basic Income that is being presented to us. COUNCILLOR JUDY HAMILTON
Councillor Tony Miklinski claimed the pilot was unlikely to be replicated across the country.
He said: “This is going to cost £186m in a post-covid environment so unless we can identify a realistic option of paying for it, presumably through taxation, the level of finance needed… if you scale it up to Scotland, the numbers are eye-watering.
“If we as politicians can’t see a way of affording the costs then we are disingenuous at the very best to be taking a pilot forward.”
However, the majority of councillors concluded a pilot would be worthwhile to identify any benefits and pitfalls.