Campaigners join national group championing a Basic Income

Liberal Democrat campaigners from Hinckley and Bosworth are part of a new national group championing the need for Universal Basic Income (UBI) pilots to be introduced throughout the country.

Hinckley Borough and County Councillor Michael Mullaney and Barwell Parish Councillor Mathew Hulbert are members of the new Cross Party Parliamentary and Local Government (CPPLG) Working Group on UBI.

The CPPLG is an innovative new structure, consisting of cross party MPs, local authority councillors, Metro Mayors, Peers and LGA officers.

Organisers say it aims to co-produce work to collectively advocate for policy positions, Basic Income pilots and the need to test alternatives to the current system, with a view to influencing the wider debate around UBI and social security.

The group also seeks to improve links between Westminster and elected representatives across the UK and hopes to be transformative in bringing about positive change and improve ways of working between elected representatives across the country.

Councillor Mullaney says, "I'm delighted to join this committee of MPs and Councillors who are campaigning for a Universal Basic Income.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has been a tragedy in lost lives and people left with damaged health.

"But it's also been a really hard time for many people financially too.

"I've been contacted by many people in Hinckley and Bosworth who never thought their jobs would be at risk but because of an event that came from nowhere, the pandemic, they face losing work and income through no fault of their own.

"A Universal Basic Income would supply them and many others with the security of a safety net, a financial lifeline, especially if the furlough payments eventually come to an end.

"A UBI is essential for the security of many people locally and nationally and I'm glad it's picking up support."

Councillor Hulbert says, "It's a privilege to be a member of this new group, along with MPs, Metro Mayors and other Councillors from up and down the country.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has put into stark relief the various inequalities that still exist in this country, despite it being one of the richest in the world.

"People should be able to live with dignity and financial security whatever their background or present circumstances.

"The government has shown that, when it has to, it can find the resources to fund new schemes and we're calling on it to now fund UBI pilots and, if they're successful, to roll out a Universal Basic Income nationwide."