A COUNCIL in Somerset could host a Universal Basic Income (UBI) trial, in a bid to beat poverty and equality. The motion was brought to Mendip District Council s full council on Monday (February 22) by Leader of the Green Party, councillor Shane Collins. A UBI offers a non-means-tested fixed sum paid by the state to cover the basic cost of living, which is issued to all residents regardless of whether they work, or are unemployed, or are rich or poor. The radical proposal has been widely debated across the UK in recent months. And at a meeting of Somerset County Council s full council meeting on Wednesday, February 17, councillors voted against taking part in the trial.
New benefit won t stop Scotland falling short of child poverty target, report warns scotsman.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from scotsman.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Scottish Government figures show that in 2018-19, almost a quarter (23%) of children were living in poverty. While the JRF said the Scottish Child Payment, which started being paid to families last week, would “significantly reduce the child poverty rate in Scotland”, it added that “without further action, it isn’t enough to meet the targets”.
Picture posed by model The JRF estimates the targets could be met if the new welfare payment is upped to £30 – which it says will cost an additional £380 million a year. But it added that if the UK Government does not extend increases in Universal Credit and Working Tax Credits introduced last spring, the Scottish Child Payment would need to rise to £40 a week for the 2023 target to be achieved – which could cost an additional £520 million.
How to cancel Universal Credit if your circumstances change during lockdown
You can also withdraw a Universal Credit claim if a benefit decision has not yet been made.
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Low-income families at breaking point under Covid-19 restrictions cypnow.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cypnow.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.