Earlier this month the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government highlighted that additional research funding will be put in place so that local authorities can pilot Universal Basic Income schemes in Scotland.
The Renfrewshire Council SNP Group will, today, submit a motion to take the necessary steps to access this funding so that Renfrewshire Council could test the scheme locally.
Universal Basic Income is a periodic payment of cash to every individual that is not means tested. Similar schemes in Finland, Canada and some parts of the USA have yielded positive outcomes giving the concept credibility for being piloted in a variety of countries.
Local MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South Mhairi Black has praised the SNP council group for putting this motion forward.
Mhairi said “I am pleased to see that the Scottish government have made this research funding available for Local Authorities. It is a great move for Renfrewshire Council to consider piloting the scheme.
“Areas in Renfrewshire such as the west end of Paisley could benefit greatly from a scheme such as this. Last year parts of Renfrewshire were rated as some of the most deprived areas in Scotland and piloting a scheme such as this could have a huge positive impact on the people living in these areas.”