Universal Basic Income Pilot Project Launched in Wales – How Much Will It Cost? | UK | New UK News

The Premier of Wales, Mark Drakeford, said the Universal Basic Income pilot project “will see if the basic income promises are actually kept” in people’s lives. The plan would see people in Wales receive an unconditional monthly allowance from the government.

Various versions of UBI systems have already been tested around the world, but this pilot will be the first of its kind in the UK.

Finnish researchers found that the scheme left those who received the payments happier and less stressed.

The pilot was part of the Welsh Labor manifesto and is also supported by Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats.

Wales’ Commissioner for Future Generations said she was “delighted” with the pilot project plan.

How much is offered?

How much the pilot project will give to the lucky beneficiaries has not yet been revealed.

However, a review of previous trials around the world could indicate the amount paid – and results vary.

Finland ran a two-year Universal Basic Income pilot project from 2017 to 2018, in which the government gave € 560 (£ 482) per month to 2,000 unemployed people aged 25 to 58.

Spain also organized a trial in 2017, with the “B-MINCOME” experiment distributing up to $ 1,968 per month to 1,000 households in the poorest neighborhoods of Barcelona.

That same year, the Netherlands launched a Basic Income Study, handing out £ 1,050 per month to 250 beneficiaries – some having to volunteer for cash, while for others it was unconditional .

In Alaska, this is not called a universal basic income, but the state gives each resident a check worth between $ 1,000 and $ 2,000 each year.

Back in Wales, it is believed that the plans are still in the planning stages, so how much will be paid is likely not yet decided.

Mr Drakeford said that a pilot “should be carefully designed to ensure that it really adds revenue for the group of people we can work with”.

He added: “It will have to be a pilot because we don’t have all the power in our hands to do it ourselves.

“It will need to be carefully designed to ensure that it is affordable and that it does so within the limits of the powers available to the Senedd.

“We need to start designing the pilot early to make sure that we have the best chance of operating a pilot that allows us to draw the conclusions that we would all like to see.