What if Everyone Was on Benefits?

Recorded at Conway Hall on Monday 11th July. Universal Basic Income (UBI), an unconditional, non-withdrawable income paid to every citizen, has caught the attention of the world’s policymakers. Trials are planned in the Netherlands, Finland and Canada, and Switzerland will stage a referendum on UBI in June. Support for the idea spans the political spectrum: both the left-of-centre Royal Society of Arts and the rightwing Adam Smith Institute have released papers endorsing the idea. So what exactly is the appeal of giving out free money to everyone with no strings attached? Rev Dr Malcolm Torry of the Citizens Income Trust, Dr Kitty Stewart from London School of Economics, and Michael Story from the Adam Smith Institute to debate whether we should all be on benefits.