Back to Basics: Income for Everyone?

Join us for ‘Back to Basics: Income for Everyone?’ – the third conference from the University of Bath Institute for Policy Research (IPR) and Bristol Ideas, supported by the Basic Income Forum.

In recent years, interest in basic income has grown around the world. Basic income is an unconditional income paid to every individual. It is a payment that is not means-tested or made conditional on work-status. Advocates of basic income argue that it represents a fair, simple and efficient way of supporting individuals, in contrast to the complexity and intrusiveness of existing welfare states. Many also argue that automation and the rise of precarious work makes a basic income necessary to replace or supplement wage labour.

The Covid-19 pandemic and cost of living crisis has thrown these issues into sharp relief, as governments around the world have scrambled to close gaps in social safety nets and prevent people falling into poverty. At the same time, treasuries and central banks have mobilised the full range of fiscal and monetary policies to prevent today’s crises tipping economies into deep recessions. State intervention in the economy has expanded, while ideological support for austerity has sharply receded. Arguments about whether a basic income is affordable are being made in a dramatically changed intellectual and political context.

Experiments with basic income schemes or pilots have multiplied in towns, cities and countries across the globe. Coalitions of city and state leaders supporting basic income have sprung up, and many more political parties, in the UK and elsewhere, now include commitments to basic income in their manifestos. In contrast, supporters of increased investment in existing welfare states and universal public services argue that basic income is an expensive distraction that delivers little bang for the buck. Prospects for a fully-fledged basic income, covering whole populations, still appear remote.

At this conference, leading thinkers, politicians and policymakers will come together to debate and explore these issues and more. Free and open to all, register your place to join us in person at Watershed.

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Events start punctually and, out of consideration to other audience members and speakers, our policy is not to admit latecomers. Full Terms and Conditions .

Accessibility Information

• Watershed’s main entrance and Box Office are both on the ground floor which is accessible via a ramped, electronically assisted entrance door.
• There are two Blue Badge parking spaces to the rear of Watershed on Canons Road.
• Guide dogs and hearing dogs are very welcome.
• The first floor of Watershed is accessible via lift from the main entrance and includes level access to all areas, including the cinemas and event spaces.
• The cinemas and event spaces have induction loops.
• There is an accessible toilet (with baby changing facilities) near Cinema 1. Follow the signs for the Cinemas and the accessible toilet is just on your left through the double doors before Cinema 1.
• There are gender neutral toilets in the cinema corridor on the first floor.

Visit Watershed’s Access page for more information.

Image credit: John Simitopoulos, Unsplash

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Watershed, 1 Canon's Road, Bristol, United Kingdom