UBI is key to all facets of health and economic resilience
Painter, et al, 18, leads the RSA’s Research and Impact team, overseeing our research, policy, publications and practical innovation. Anthony is an award winning policy and social innovator. He leads the RSA’s social change work covering economic security, future of work, education, lifelong learning, local democracy and regenerative futures. He has been a leading voice, writer and presenter on the RSA’s platforms for almost a decade. (Anthony, “Pathways to Universal Basic Income The case for a Universal Basic Opportunity Fund,” RSA Action and Research Centre, https://www.thersa.org/globalassets/pdfs/reports/rsa_pathways-to-universal-basic-income-report.pdf)//BB
While the link between income inequality and bad health outcomes has been well established,51. the actual mechanism driving this is little understood. Shafir and Mullainathan describe a process of cognitive ‘bandwidth scarcity’ whereby scarcity of resources impedes sound decision making with clear potential for negative health outcomes.52. The complexity of the welfare system as currently configured, with its tripwires of arbitrary conditions and punitive sanctions, can result in high levels of stress driving bad health outcomes. Similarly research has indicated that the stress associated with being in low-paid, insecure work may have more damaging health impacts than actually losing employment. Lack of certainty over income and personal agency is understandably stressful, producing a range of negative effects from unhealthy lifestyle choices in the short run and conditions such as higher blood pressure longer term.53. Significant portions of working population live precarious lives, in a position where one life event (illness, unemployment, changes in mortgage or living costs) would be enough to severely undermine their wellbeing. Ability to take part in the Fund as necessary, particularly after initial bedding-in stages have been completed, would provide individuals with a knowledge that they had an alternative source of income available when required. This can create improved wellbeing (precariousness being a clear contributor to reduced physical and mental wellbeing), and greater resilience for individuals in responding to shocks. According to RSA-commissioned data, 32 percent of a representative survey of UK workers have accessible savings less than £500 and 41 percent have less than £1,000. 54. A further health and wellbeing benefit that the UBOF could address relates to caring. Carers Trust reports that there are currently around seven million people with caring responsibilities in the UK, with one in eight workers being a carer. Of those carers not working, a fifth have given up work and therefore income to become a carer.55. The UBOF could provide support for people to fulfil their duties towards loved ones at crucial moments, perhaps even taking time of work to do so. As well as a better quality of life for the person being cared for, the financial support available through the payment could prove invaluable at relieving stress caused by a need to juggle caring responsibilities with generating an income. This also will help the UK more efectively meet its wider care needs, ie not just through relatively expensive state services.