Universal Basic Income

This one-hour lecture by Maurice Ward, M.Sc., FRSA will cover the definition of UBI, its history, and the arguments in favour of and against its introduction. There will be a brief summary of findings from the several international pilots over the last 40 years, the plans for pilots in Scotland, and initiatives in the rest of the UK. Covid-19 has raised the profile of UBI as an emergency measure.

Course overview and further details:

1. A brief look at the history from the Charter of the Forest.
2. A formally agreed definition for UBI.
3. Why is this important now? What is happening in society now (ignoring Covid-19) to give this prominence? It was included in the Labour Party manifesto for the 2019 General Election, while the Green Party commitment was to implement it.
4. The moral/ethical and practical arguments for and against the introduction of UBI.
5. Are pilots irrelevant?

Attendees will be given information on the ways, whether they are in favour of or against UBI, that they can keep up to date with international progress and initiatives for pilots in the UK. This will counteract the media and politically-led sensationalist news that will be evident when the arguments around UBI gain momentum nationally. A further session will be offered if participants want to explore or discuss the subject further.

Tickets cost £3 and can be booked here.

This lecture will be delivered via Zoom. If you haven’t used Zoom before, please go to www.zoom.us and look at the tutorials. An invitation will be emailed to you.

If you book this course online, we will hold your personal data in accordance with our privacy policy. If you do not wish us to hold your personal data, please book by post (see www.berwickea.co.uk) and do not supply an email address.