What if Everyone was on Benefits?

With the row over benefits cuts to the disabled and the poor in the UK, and the resignation of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith. What’s the future of the social security system? Is there a better way?

Universal Basic Income (UBI), an unconditional, non-withdrawable income paid to every citizen, has caught the attention of the world’s policymakers. Trials are planned in the Netherlands, Finland and Canada, and Switzerland will stage a referendum on UBI in June. Support for the idea spans the political spectrum: both the left-of-centre Royal Society of Arts and the rightwing Adam Smith Institute have released papers endorsing the idea. So what exactly is the appeal of giving out free money to everyone with no strings attached?

Join us with a panel of experts including Rev Dr Malcolm Torry of the Citizens Income Trust, Dr Kitty Stewart from London School of Economics, and Michael Story from the Adam Smith Institute to debate whether we should all be on benefits.