Mayor praises ‘fantastic’ community behind London’s first basic income trial

The Mayor of London has today praised the ‘fantastic’ North London community that has developed the city’s first basic income pilot. 

The Mayor, when questioned by Zack Polanski AM, applauded the efforts of Grange Big Local, a community group in East Finchley, who are developing a Universal Basic Income (UBI) pilot alongside a connected community group in Jarrow, North East England. [2] 

Thirty people will unconditionally be paid a £1600 lump sum for two years and will be observed to understand the effects on their lives. 

When asked if he would applaud the Londoners coming together to organise the trial, the Mayor of London said "it’s fantastic” and “if there's a good case for support, of course I'll support the pilot that they're looking into in East Finchley.”  

This follows the Mayor’s call on the Prime Minister to fund more UBI trials around the UK, in a letter co-signed by 285 politicians and campaigners in November 2022. [4] 

Campaigners from East Finchley will be meeting the Mayor’s team this afternoon to ask for his endorsement of the pilot and for ‘wraparound’ financial support, which would include funding academics to evaluate the trial.  

Assembly Member Zack Polanski echoes the group’s calls for this wraparound support for the pilot.  

In response to his discussion with the Mayor, Zack said:  

“UBI has the potential to bring an end to absolute poverty, provide financial security for everyone, improve the mental health and wellbeing of people and reduce crime and heal divisions in our communities. 

“The financial crisis has been exacerbated by the hangover economic impacts of Brexit and the pandemic; a failing welfare system; precarious employment situations; and now the grips of a cost of living crisis, meaning people are struggling to afford the basics. 

“UBI presents an economic opportunity to get Londoners back on their feet, and the Mayor should seriously and robustly consider funding pilots. 

“Further delay and inaction guarantee a future of financial turmoil put Londoners under continued stress. In the face of further crisis including the climate emergency, Londoners will require a basic income.”  

“I first raised the benefits of UBI in the Assembly when I was elected in 2021 and earlier this year I co-wrote a report on the case for a basic income pilot in London [3]. It has the potential to provide economic security to everyone and address the financial stress felt by many, and I urge the Mayor to fund UBI pilots in London – in particular, the wraparound support requested by the Grange Big Local trial organisers.”