Citizen’s income would protect everyone

Sir, – Much of our working population is now being paid by the government, and many of the organisations which previously employed them will either have to cut staff dramatically or will go out of business in the coming depression.

And, in the longer term, huge numbers will be made redundant due to automation and artificial intelligence.

Even those in the middle classes who were previously largely unaffected by such considerations will be condemned to a life of poverty and hopelessness.

So is it not about time serious consideration be given to bringing in a citizen’s income?

Instead of employing a huge army to assess, administer and police the benefit system, with all its intricacies, inadequacies and unfairness, just give every citizen a set amount sufficient for them to live on, no strings, as of right.

This would, at a stroke, free people from the dread of poverty caused by redundancy, illness, lack of qualifications, and most of this money would go straight back into the local economy, supporting local business.

It would also reduce the scourge of child poverty, and hopefully dramatically improve the mental health of the nation.

Such a system would be much simpler and cheaper to run, and some of the people no longer required to run the benefits system could switch to focus on eradicating tax evasion and avoidance which, with proper legislation and strong government support, could, in tandem with the savings on the benefit system, bring in enough money to pay for the whole thing.

And the recipients would be free to pursue their own interests, develop their creativity and, hopefully, be happy.

Les Mackay. 5 Carmichael Gardens, Dundee .