The document discusses the choice between Universal Credit (UC) and Universal Basic Income (UBI) in the UK. It argues that UC undermines social security and imposes social control, while UBI could help build a society where everyone's basic needs are met. The movement for UBI is part of global efforts for social justice. Going forward, the conflict may be between retaining UC or adopting UBI. Achieving change will likely require social pressure around new ideas like UBI.

1. The choice before us
Universal Credit
or
Basic Income
UBILAB
Image: Darren Cullen

2. 1. Social security has been progressively undermined by a
modern version of Poor Law thinking
2. Universal Credit was the next logical step in a strategy of
impoverishment and social control
3. The movement for Basic Income is part of a global effort
to build a society that works for everyone
4. It seems likely the coming conflict will be a choice
between UC and UBI
5. It seems unlikely we’ll achieve change without social
pressure and mobilisation around new ideas

3. The Poor Law
1. Nobody is entitled to
anything, instead you are
obliged to sell your labour to
earn a living.
2. In order to seek financial aid
you must subject yourself to
ongoing scrutiny and
management.
3. To get more generous
support you must prove your
inability to earn a living.
Ecclesall Bierlow Workhouse

4. Welfare as social control
1. Advances in social justice usually
follow social unrest and
organised campaigns.
2. Progress unravels as those
representing the wealthy capture
welfare systems and undermine
collective resistance.
3. Dividing the poor is a highly
effective strategy for the Right.

5. The new Poor Law
“We won’t lift you out of poverty by
simply transferring taxpayers’
money to you. With our help, you’ll
work your way out of poverty.”
“…five pathways to poverty: family
breakdown, educational failure,
addiction, debt, and the fifth,
worklessness and economic
dependency.”
“…ensuring that receipt of benefits
for those able to work is conditional
on their willingness to work.”
Iain Duncan Smith

7. Austerity & Welfare Reform
• Cuts to value of benefits
• Harsher tests on capacity
• Harsher sanctions
• Micro-management
• More stigma
• Centralisation
• Bureaucracy
• Privatisation
New Labour’s “Benefit Thieves”

14. Universal Basic Income
1. We all have an absolute right
to exist and to benefit from
our common resources
2. People should be free to
develop lives of meaning and
contribution
3. Additional support should be
to support the emancipation
of those with extra needs
Madonna & Child - families are biggest
winners with UBI

18. An Experiment:
What principles
should underpin the
benefit system?

19. 2019 Survey
• n = 1103 (96% completion rate)
• 21 different countries (83% UK)
• 45% disability or serious health problem
• 22% family member has disability or health problem
• 2 complaints that survey was not balanced or did not allow for
subtle enough responses
• NB Public opinion doesn’t tell us what is true or right
• NB Internet polling does not lead to a random samples

31. A significant group, including many
disabled people and their allies believe
• Poverty is man-made, we can do something about it and
government should redistribute resources to reduce it
• Universal systems that don’t target the poor work are best
and clawing back benefits (means-testing) is wrong
• People need a secure and independent income and
disabled people need extra income
• Sanctions and checking whether people are looking for
work is wrong and paid employment is not the highest
form of human life

32. UBILAB
• Liverpool
• Leeds
• Chesterfield
• North East
• Kirklees
• Jakarta
• and more…
Pilots and stuff:
• Finland
• USA
• Canada
• India
• Kenya
• and more…

34. Conclusion
• Universal Credit will remain unpopular and Basic Income Plus is
likely to become a leading alternative idea. [Currently no other
clear alternative seems in play other than perhaps just winding
the clock back.]
• Success will depend on creating a universal and non-
stigmatised system (something like the NHS).
• The benefits of UBI+ are not just economic. It is about
revitalising democracy, saving the planet and focusing on the
true purpose of human life.
• Justice is never a gift from the powerful to the weak. There is
much to do.

35. Questions
• Follow: @simonjduffy @CforWR @UBILabSheffield
• Subscribe: www.cforwr.org
• Join: www.citizen-network.org
• Create your own Lab: www.ubilabsheffield.org