… have faith that a basic income would strengthen people’s resources to be resourceful!
Just before Christmas a colleague passed me an article – ‘Informing investment to reduce health inequalities (III) in Scotland: a commentary’ – which set me thinking. It examines the effects of different forms of interventions to tackle health and health inequalities and finds that the most significant benefit in terms of health inequality derived not from some of the most time intensive work but from a relatively small increase in income:
The most effective (and likely cost-effective) interventions for reducing inequalities were regulatory and tax options which affect income. Interventions focused on individual agency were much less likely to impact on inequalities, even when targeted at those in the most deprived communities.
Of course that is not to say that individual agency work is not of value – it will have numerous other impacts and positive outcomes but think of the simplicity of an income increase and, as the report highlights, the potentially low cost of achieving it – what is not to like?
Working in an Edinburgh-based project (Recovery Essentials) that delivers welfare rights and financial inclusion advice, the team focus is income maximisation. We see the impact of our work on a daily basis. An increase in income that reduces the daily grind and struggle can turn someone’s life around.
One of our clients was regularly in contact with us needing help with referrals to foodbanks and with accessing crisis grants as she was unable to manage on the benefits she was receiving. The struggle exacerbated her mental health issues and in so doing increased her drug dependency. A successful benefit claim brought a significant increase in weekly income and a consequent turnaround in her health. Now she tells us she is planning for the future for the first time in a long time and has opened savings accounts for her children.
Comas, another Edinburgh based project is set to launch a project ‘20 More’ with the goal of increasing the income of each household in the local area by £20 a week. It will be fascinating to see the impact – a combination of individual agency work AND increased income.
As the evidence builds to show the positive impact of increased income on health, teamed with evidence of the negative effects of welfare conditionality and the costs of administering the system, I am left thinking that more support and impetus for the idea of a ‘Basic’ or ‘Citizens’’ income must gather. It is already supported by the Green Party. There is also some support within the Liberal Democrat party.
See more:
https://www.welfareconditionality.ac.uk/
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