Wales Online says the trial will start within in days by giving £1,600 ($1,952.08) every month for two years, a project that will cost a total of £20M ($244,010,000). The scheme will retroactively monitor if this program is successful, judging whether or not ‘positive improvements in areas like mental health, wellbeing, employment or education’ have been noticed.
Recipients will still be taxed for it, however. In other words, they will not receive the full £1,600.
Daily Mail adds this ‘is equivalent to 70% of the average salary in Wales, which was £582.60 a week – or £2,251 a month – last year.’
500 people aged 18 and up are eligible, and will have no restrictions on what they can spend their money on.
Additionally, those eligible for the program also include:
- Someone who has been looked after by a council for a period of 13 weeks, or periods amounting in total to 13 weeks, which began after he or she reached 14 and ended after he or she reached 16
- A person leaving care who is resident in Wales, or who is placed outside of Wales but is supported by a Welsh local authority’s social services department.
We want all our young people to have the best possible chance in life and fulfil their full potential. The state is the guardian of people leaving care and so has a real obligation to support them as they start their adult life. Our focus will be on opening up their world to all its possibilities and create an independence from services as their lives develop.
Many of those involved in this pilot don’t have the support lots of people – myself included – have been lucky enough to enjoy as we started out on our path to adulthood. Our radical initiative will not only improve the lives of those taking part in the pilot, but will reap rewards for the rest of Welsh society. If we succeed in what we are attempting today this will be just the first step in what could be a journey that benefits generations to come.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said
It is good to see that care leavers in Wales are being thought of and Welsh Government are providing this opportunity for them as young people to become responsible, control some parts of their lives and have a chance to thrive and be financially independent.
Tiff Evans of Voices from Care Cymru said, calling it a “brilliant idea.”
Others in the government are very critical of this move.
It’s been proven time and again that so-called Universal Basic Income doesn’t work. Look at Finland, who ditched their scheme after two years in favour of new scheme that encouraged people to actually take up employment or training.
We recognise that this is a vulnerable group, and they need extra support – but this is completely the wrong way to go about it and could well create more problems than it solves. It’s typical Labour – but it’s obvious that giving out free money won’t be a quick fix.
Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Social Partnership, Joel James MS
The Daily Mail noted many online voice their complaints.
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
Proverbs 22:7
It was only a matter of time before we started seeing more UBI being pushed on the masses. And the young loathsome and slothful Millennials and Gen Z’ers will gladly collect a check for breathing. Nothing is free in this world (except salvation of course).
You’ll own nothing and be happy.
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath NOTHING: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
Proverbs 13:4, 12:24
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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If you’re a real Christian, please pray for me.
Okay what’s going on, Rahab? I remember you were dreading if you’ve damned yourself but be specific because God only knows and I don’t neither do the rest of us-so we can pray for you.
They keep harassing and torturing me. Please pray.
If you are sincere, Rahab, then go to the preserved word of God. Pray God for understanding & grace, & he will help you. Don’t give up. Pray and keep reading, fast w/ sense, until you have the assurance of faith coming of God. Men can’t save you, & the only damning sin is to utterly turn from truth & the word of God, the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ according to the scriptures quickened by the Holy Spirit, searing your own conscience. Every other interpretation of that is craft of men & devils seeking to usurp the place & power of God in your life to your loss & their own.
Well, that’s easy to figure out. The seduction & pay of prostitutes. Been doing it with ‘income tax reimbursements’ above & beyond anything paid in; and ‘tax credits’ forever.