“Universal basic income usually covers people’s basic needs but we want to see what effect this unconditional lump sum has on people’s mental and physical health, whether they choose to work or not,” says Will Stronge, the director of research at the thinktank Autonomy, which is backing the plan.
Yeah that was my immediate thought “my employer will just reduce my wages by £1600”. I guess at least that £1600 is guaranteed which makes moving jobs and even careers easier.
My hope would be that if Company X decides to reduce wages by £1600 then competitor Company Y can poach X’s talent by not reducing wages.