Austerity alive and well in Wales and UBI in intensive care

Abstract

There have been many Universal Basic Income (UBI) pilots worldwide and a large literature has emerged outlining mostly positive findings but also acknowledging that no government has implemented the policy. In June 2022 the Welsh Government launched the UK's most important UBI pilot to date with young adults who have been looked after by the statutory care system (referred to as ‘care leavers’). The pilot would be appraised by an ongoing rigorous evaluation process until 2025 with the results not fully known until 2027. However, even before the results of the evaluation are known, the Welsh Government has decided not to roll out a permanent UBI to care leavers after the pilot ends because of costs. We consider the implications of the Welsh pilot with special focus on continuing austerity and the cost-of-living crisis, and within the context of Welsh Government's commitment to the well-being of future generations. With another UBI-curious government deciding not to adopt it, it further undermines worldwide confidence in UBI as a credible policy.