Sturgeon considering ‘citizen’s income’

Every Scot would be handed a “citizen’s income” from the state worth thousands of pounds a year under proposals Nicola Sturgeon raised yesterday in her programme for government. She said the idea of replacing the welfare state with regular payments to all Scots, regardless of wealth, “is an idea that merits deeper consideration”.

EVERY Scot would be handed a “citizen’s income” from the state worth thousands of pounds a year under proposals Nicola Sturgeon promised to investigate yesterday in her programme for government.

The First Minister told MSPS that the concept of replacing the welfare state with regular payments to all Scots, regardless of wealth, “is an idea that merits deeper consideration”.

Although she admitted that the

‘The Scottish Government will work with interested local authorities to fund research into the concept’

scheme had several practical problems, including whether the Scottish Parliament even had the power to introduce it, she said her government would work with local authorities to examine it.

Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Tory leader, treated the plan with derision and warned that Ms Sturgeon hinting at income tax increases would drag down Scotland’s economy.

But the hard-left Scottish Greens welcomed the idea and claimed the case for a citizen’s income “has never been stronger”.

A citizen’s income would sweep away almost all benefits and the state pension and replace them with a regular payment to everyone.

Under proposals mooted by the Greens, every child under the age of 16 would get £50 per week

Youngsters aged between 16 and 18 would get £100 weekly and pensioners £150.

This would equate to £5,200 per year for every working adult and £10,400 for a single parent with two children.

The Greens argued the net cost would be only £1billion in Scotland if the basic rate of income tax was increased from 20 to 30 per cent and the top rate raised from 45 to 50 per cent.

The First Minister announced 16 Bills in her programme for government, Holyrood’s version of the Queen’s Speech, which has been touted as a relaunch following the debacle over her demand for a second independence referendum.

Ms Sturgeon told MSPS there were “arguments for and against” a citizen’s income but it merited closer examination “as we look ahead to the next decade and beyond”.

She said: “I can therefore confirm that the Scottish Government will work with interested local authorities to fund research into the concept and feasibility of a citizen’s basic income, to help inform Parliament’s thinking for the future.”