Event Details:
Please check the original event link for any updated information or last minute changes, we don’t accept responsibility for out of date information.
- This event has passed.
The next UBI Lab Leeds meeting was planned for 14 April at 18hrs in the Civic Hall. This will not take place!
However, if there is sufficient interest, we can organise an online meeting to discuss ongoing activities and what we can learn from the interim feasibility report in Scotland.
Please send email to r.huss@posteo.net if you want to attend online meeting.
Updates from UBI Leeds:
UBI for financial and health security during the COVID 19 crisis
The announcement of the government to support businesses and finance 80% of salaries is one important step, but it puts the economy first and people second. Employers can still sack people. The government cannot force employers to keep their staff. Workers cannot complain when this happens. Moreover the assistance for people who are self-employed is rather slow. People in precarious employment, unemployed or carers at home who are now needed more than ever are not considered. Our Universal Basic Income (UBI) wants to put people first and the economy second.
UBI will not only be an important tool to support people during the fight against the COVID 19 pandemic, but as a new institution it will also create more resilient people, communities and societies. Unfortunately we can expect more environmental dangers due to climate change. We can prevent some environmental dangers, e.g. floods and droughts, turning into major disasters for people, if every person receives a UBI.
What can you do?
If you want the UK government to implement an immediate Universal Basic Income trial for all UK residents to ensure home and food security through the Covid-19 crisis, to support the needs of those that need to self-isolate as well as the public health at large, and the wider economy, please sign the GOV.UK petition here. Almost 110,000 people have already signed. Unfortunately the government response is discouraging, because its ideological frame is focused on targeting rather than a universal secure financial foundation for all residents.
If you want your MP and other MPs to support a UBI trial, please check the Early Day Motion “That this House calls on the Government to introduce a temporary universal basic income or an emergency measure to help freelancers and the self-employed effected by the covid-19 outbreak” here. 90 MPs have signed so far. Unfortunately nobody from the Conservative Party has joined, although a Conservative MP, Sir Edward Leigh, has expressed some support for a UBI. If your local MP or other MPs you know, have not signed yet, please contact them and ask for their support.
UBI is even more urgently needed in low and middle income countries to fight the COVID 19 pandemic at the global level. These countries have a huge informal economy. Poor people can only practice self-isolation, self quarantine and physical distancing, if they have basic financial security. If you think that the leaders, organisations such as the United Nations (UN) and transnational corporations of our world should take action and introduce a UBI at the global level to fight the COVID 19 pandemic, please read the international open letter here and consider whether you want to sign and share on social media.
Unconditional Basic Income Europe has started a petition to demand that European leaders create an EU-led financial instrument to support all EU Member States in the quick introduction of an Unconditional Basic Income as an emergency measure. They need to provide prompt relief to everyone in Europe, without wasting time on means testing or other bureaucracy. Our economic security and existence is at stake. Since 2008 EU has pumped trillions of Euros into the failing financial sector. Now it’s time to support the people.
Please support a petition so that the NHS frontline health workers can treat all COVID 19 patients effectively!