The leader of Southport’s Green Party is calling for people in Sefton to be given a free, fixed-amount of money each month with no strings attached.



The so-called Universal Basic Income is an idea being tested in cities throughout the world and now seriously being considered in the UK as a way of meeting the challenge of large-scale job losses caused by automation and computer-driven services.



Liverpool City Council has already asked to be part of a future pilot scheme but Sefton Green Party Co-Ordinator Mike Carter said that Sefton would be a better place to test the theories.



Mike said: “There are so many people in Sefton doing unpaid work or struggling due to lack of work – this would be an amazing chance for them to have a better, happier life.



“People in Sefton would be free to keep on working and earning on top of their basic income but imagine knowing you have enough to live on each month and not having to worry. People who are carers, parents and volunteers would especially benefit.”



The idea of a Universal Basic Income has been Green Party policy for years but the idea is not a new one. It was first put forward by Thomas Moore in the 16th century. It was debated as a way of transforming Britain after the second world war and was trialled in the United States in the 70s. President Richard Nixon was an enthusiastic supporter but trials were halted following his resignation.



“Some people struggle at first to get their head around the idea of free money for everyone but when they see how it would be funded and how it would actually benefit the economy and make everyone more prosperous and secure they are quickly won over,” added Mike. “Sefton Council should make sure we are at the front of the queue to try this out and not let other boroughs get the benefits.”



Basic Income trails are currently taking place in Europe, Australia and the USA as economists search for ways to transform the economy as jobs are replaced by automation, robotics and the internet. The Green Party is also proposing a gradual transition to a maximum four-day week (for five days pay) as a way of helping people have happier, more productive lives

and where does this 'free money' come from exactly?

Do thy have a special tree at the bottom of the garden, Or does it come yet again from working tax payers?

Originally Posted by Ceam

and where does this 'free money' come from exactly?

Do thy have a special tree at the bottom of the garden, Or does it come yet again from working tax payers?

It's the same money that is paid out in benefits and includes the billions spent on the costly administration of those benefits. If it was rolled out nationally it would cost the taxpayer less as there's be far less administration required.

Dianne Abbott says we have trillions to spare,In reality Corbyn is going to turn recycled refuse to hard cash the way Jesus turned water into wine..A labour government would reduce us to a third world country in 6 months unelectable Marxist extremists.

Originally Posted by Ceam

and where does this 'free money' come from exactly?

Do thy have a special tree at the bottom of the garden, Or does it come yet again from working tax payers?

Bless them I love these fringe parties - the meetings must be a right laugh - might go something like this...............

Mr Potatoskinshoes - Why don't we have a policy of restricting lorries to one per day, each way, on any motorway no matter how long the motorway is?

Mrs Greenas-Cabbagelookin - Hey, that's a great idea!

Ms Guffalot-Veganbreath - I know and, as well, why don't we make them use sail power instead of diesel?

Mr Losttheplotalongtimeago - brilliant and, as leader of the party I can see no reason whatsoever not to put this policy in our manifesto. After all - it's not as if we'll ever have to implement it.

Quote: Liverpool City Council has already asked to be part of a future pilot scheme but Sefton Green Party Co-Ordinator Mike Carter said that Sefton would be a better place to test the theories.

Not like Liverpool CC and Joe Anderson to be looking for something for nothing.

Originally Posted by nosobored

Dianne Abbott says we have trillions to spare,In reality Corbyn is going to turn recycled refuse to hard cash the way Jesus turned water into wine..A labour government would reduce us to a third world country in 6 months unelectable Marxist extremists.

Don't you dare criticise Diane Abbott. I'll have you know that she can count up to twelvety and a half!

Originally Posted by salus.populi

It's the same money that is paid out in benefits and includes the billions spent on the costly administration of those benefits. If it was rolled out nationally it would cost the taxpayer less as there's be far less administration required.

This is very true, many benefits cost more to administer than the cost of the benefits, particulary the current governments "savings".

Originally Posted by nosobored

Dianne Abbott says we have trillions to spare,In reality Corbyn is going to turn recycled refuse to hard cash the way Jesus turned water into wine..A labour government would reduce us to a third world country in 6 months unelectable Marxist extremists.

This is a proposal from the Green Party, to the best of my knowledge Corbyn is the leader of the Labour Party, but there are some merits to the idea, certainly worth checking before simply standing in line like good little slaves, shouting no to everything.

Originally Posted by salus.populi

It's the same money that is paid out in benefits and includes the billions spent on the costly administration of those benefits. If it was rolled out nationally it would cost the taxpayer less as there's be far less administration required.

Sallus or whatever you are called, .. there you go again absolute "Bovine Effluent" spewed out. magnificent.

Soon the "norm" will be..... "Why do you bother having to work when you can get it for nowt" Bollards total bollards.

This was on Jeremy Vine about six weeks ago and idea I believe from the States!!! our greatest friend LOL.

Originally Posted by salus.populi

It's the same money that is paid out in benefits and includes the billions spent on the costly administration of those benefits. If it was rolled out nationally it would cost the taxpayer less as there's be far less administration required.

So it goes to everyone not just those that need it? Well that makes sense..

*please note the sarcasm*

Originally Posted by Ceam

So it goes to everyone not just those that need it? Well that makes sense..

*please note the sarcasm*

The point is everyone gets enough to live a modest lifestyle. Those who also work get a better lifestyle. Given that not everyone can work and there aren't enough jobs to employ everyone it seems reasonable enough that everyone in one of the world's richest nations should get enough to get by on.

Obviously some people see it differently and can't bear the thought of that.

Originally Posted by paulollie

Sallus or whatever you are called, .. there you go again absolute "Bovine Effluent" spewed out. magnificent.

It's "salus". Try copying and pasting it if you're unable to spell something that is already written on the screen you're looking at. Thanks for your barely literate contribution to the discussion.

Originally Posted by salus.populi

The point is everyone gets enough to live a modest lifestyle. Those who also work get a better lifestyle. Given that not everyone can work and there aren't enough jobs to employ everyone it seems reasonable enough that everyone in one of the world's richest nations should get enough to get by on.

Obviously some people see it differently and can't bear the thought of that.

Magic money tree?