Dear Sir/Madam
In response to the article about food banks in the Saturday edition, can I make a suggestion? Lets cut through all the complexity, conditionality, sanctions and means testing of the benefit system and give every UK resident- man, woman and child- a Citizen’s or basic income, whether on no wage, low or high wage,carer, part-time worker, student or a person with disabilities. Sounds crazy? The idea has been around since the 18th century(Thomas Paine), it has been piloted in parts of India, became law in 2004 in Brazil and is gaining political currency in mainland Europe. Even the Conservative Government in the 1970’s seriously considered a version of it. It is a radical, progressive idea that addresses the poverty trap that lies at the interface between paid work and benefits and also responds to the future of work. We have to face the fact that full employment and steady wage security (never 100% anyway) is a thing of the past for many people. So do we carry on with the neo-liberal model of the race to the bottom for many people, producing a divisive society, or do we nurture solidarity and security everyone. A citizen’s income is not a panacea for all these problems but the current benefit and tax regimes need a radical shake- up .
Alison Whalley
North Tyneside and Newcastle Green Party.