Basic questions

Tom Walker’s excellent letter on Universal Basic Income – aka Citizen Income – did not mention costs (Scotsman, 17 February ). in fact, estimates do exist. Liz Hawkins, of the Scot- tish Government’s housing and social justice directorate, briefed ministers last March that it would cost £3.6bn, CBI Scotland estimated £12.3bn, Joe Stiglitz advises against it, the Tories are dead against it and most of the people who have heard of it either imagine it can keep them idle and happy, so they love the idea, or it will keep others idle and happy so they hate the idea.

Few commentators are prepared to admit it’s supposed to be a replacement for all relevant benefits, not a layer on top. But two Scottish think tanks from either end of the political spectrum, Common Weal and Reform Scotland, are in favour of the concept because it is an opportunity to radically reform the benefits system to make it fairer and encourage and smooth the process of people into work. In fact Common Weal says the system would be cost neutral, and Reform Scotland says it will save £3.6bn off Scotland’s £18bn share of the UK’S £200bn annual benefits bill.

In October, Nicola Sturgeon said: “It might turn out not to be the right answer . . . it might not be feasible . . . but it would be wrong to be close-minded”. We’ve heard little more than this mebbes aye, mebbes no soundbite since October last year. ALLAN SUTHERLAND Willow Row, Stonehaven