Kiwi Standard calls for a trial of the Universal Basic Income in New Zealand

“The current means-tested welfare system is both complicated and costly. We need to think of ways of removing the need for individual assessments and make a more efficient system. The Universal Basic Income is a standard that all New Zealanders could receive”, said Kiwi Standard spokesperson Yves Plusjé.

“First we need to asses the merits of this idea based on evidence. There have been plenty of assumptions on how spectacularly well it will work and on the other hand what a costly mess the Universal Basic Income will be. A trial is a fair way to settle this debate.”

“The object of the universal basic income trial is to see the causal effect of a basic income scheme on economic, social and health outcomes. The experiment will show the validity of the counterfactual, i.e. what would have happened to those receiving universal basic income if they had not received it. Measures of productivity and employment levels would be monitored closely as part of the trial and would inform any decisions on whether it is a viable long term option.”

“Similar trials have be done around the world, starting in Canada and more recently in Finland. This shows us that having a trial is a viable possibility, but we want to ensure that we use evidence from New Zealand.”

“Right now we need people to engage in the conversation, with each other, their community and the government, with an end goal of a trial in New Zealand.”

See our website for more details on the merits of a trial and what has been done around the world.

[Ends]

© Scoop Media