[p2p-research] UK's universal credit

[Richard Poynder]

?Yes indeed. It is, after all, an initiative of a conservative government – which is why I used the word imagined. I was wondering more whether once the infrastructure for managing a universal credit was in place another government might change the emphasis, removing for instance the coercive element, or making it more of a right. If the basic concept became an accepted part of the landscape it could either be gradually reduced (the most likely scenario I agree), or it could be used to achieve a more positive outcome.  

In the same way, I would imagine the UK government’s Big Society initiative becoming more than just a way of cutting public spending, but a way to help local communities achieve greater independence, and encourage more civic participation. (Again, it seems, the signs are not  currently encouraging: http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/fileon4#playepisode1: Charities – Giving and Taking).

As Michel says, “out of catastrophe something good may always  been born.”

>>

In this sense, it may be a lot more related to neoliberal workfare than to the basic income,

Michel


On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 9:50 PM, Dante-Gabryell Monson <dante.monson at gmail.com> wrote:

  "Universal Credit" looks very "conditional" and "coercive" to me, when looking at the paragraph pasted below. 

  How do they define "employment" ? How do they define "work" ?

  excerpt :

  Conditionality & sanctions: Universal Credit will be supported by a strong system of conditionality, which will be personalised (building upon Professor Paul Gregg’s recommendations to the previous government). Unemployed people who can work will be required to take all reasonable steps to find and move into employment and the government will introduce a ‘claimant commitment’. New financial sanctions will be introduced into the existing benefits system to support these measures and will be carried through when the Universal Credit is introduced.


  http://cesi.org.uk/NewPolicy/news/DWP_white_paper_universal_credit_published




  On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 12:08 PM, Richard Poynder <richard.poynder at btinternet.com> wrote:

    Is it possible that the universal credit announced by the UK government could be imagined as a step towards a basic income? 

    http://cesi.org.uk/NewPolicy/news/DWP_white_paper_universal_credit_published








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