• Disrupting Power Since 2015
  • Donate
  • Login
Thursday, May 22, 2025
  • Login
  • Register
Canary
MEDIA THAT DISRUPTS
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
MANAGE SUBSCRIPTION
SUPPORT
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
Canary
No Result
View All Result

In one tweet, a bestselling author nails exactly the type of bailout we need right now

Ed Sykes by Ed Sykes
18 March 2020
in Global, Trending, UK
Reading Time: 2 mins read
170 2
A A
1
Home Global
319
SHARES
2.5k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Rutger Bregman wrote the bestselling book Utopia for Realists. And with a coronavirus pandemic and economic crisis looming heavy over the world, he nailed what government intervention should now look like:

If there was ever a time to give people a basic income – no strings attached – this is it. After the financial crash of 2008 we had a bail out for the banks. Now we need a bail out for the people, especially the poor. https://t.co/A9peJaXkjV

— Rutger Bregman (@rcbregman) March 12, 2020

As The Canary reported in 2019, the UK Labour Party planned to undertake trials of universal basic income (UBI) if it took power. This policy would see the government give every citizen a ‘basic income’. A report from the Compass thinktank considered the idea to be affordable and highlighted that it “would significantly cut poverty and inequality levels in the country”. People have also proposed the concept as a potential solution for people who could lose their jobs in the future as a result of automation. Even UN secretary-general António Guterres has previously expressed support for the idea.

UBI is now gaining support around the world as one of the steps governments can take to deal with the dual coronavirus / economic crisis.

Universal basic income seems like an inevitability at this point. This situation is not sustainable and will lead to mass death. These decisions will serve to sacrifice the most vulnerable at the altar of business as usual. Radical new ways of existing must be established.

— Lowkey (@Lowkey0nline) March 16, 2020

Today I urged the UK Government to consider a Universal Basic Income for freelancers and the self-employed during the #CoronavirusOutbreak. pic.twitter.com/8yiw60dbGN

— Kevin Brennan (@KevinBrennanMP) March 16, 2020

‘A people’s bailout’

Bregman has previously highlighted places where basic income tests have worked well:

This is huge. One of the biggest tests of basic income so far and the results are – again – very encouraging. https://t.co/pbVd9CFREi

— Rutger Bregman (@rcbregman) November 25, 2019

New research shows: Ontario's basic income pilot project was a 'roaring success'.

Participants were happier, healthier and continued working even though they were receiving money with no-strings attached –> https://t.co/aUqVT7IIk8

— Rutger Bregman (@rcbregman) March 5, 2020

Finland also ran UBI trials with unemployed people, which helped to improve their wellbeing and health.

As Bernie Sanders pointed out recently in the US, political elites can easily find billions of dollars to bail out banks and to wage wars; but when it comes to actually investing in ordinary people, they shy away from action. And many people right now are calling for a people’s bailout in the form of UBI:

GOP & Democrats are both coming to the same conclusion: Universal Basic Income is going to have to play a role in helping Americans weather this crisis.@RoKhanna & @TimRyan’s proposal goes up to $6,000/mo depending on need. Mitt Romney just came out for a flat $1,000 universal. https://t.co/43d4AWK70u

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 16, 2020

They have pointed out, however, that UBI is part of the solution rather than a solution in and of itself:

People have harped on me about “Trojan horse” comments I’ve made before abt UBI policies,but seriously: not every UBI policy is created equal.

Some are structured in predatory ways to gut the safety net & reward banks, others are better w/people’s well-being in mind. Be careful.

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 16, 2020

The pandemic has prompted some to propose a universal basic income (UBI) program.

I support MLK’s vision of a UBI adding to a social safety net. A basic income program must not diminish in-kind services, which are needed.

Prior proposals fail that standard. Others might emerge. https://t.co/yOZuqSSfGB

— Shahid Buttar (find me on Substack and BlueSky) (@ShahidForChange) March 16, 2020

The right type of UBI could really help ordinary people who will either lose money or their jobs in the coronavirus / economic crisis. As Bregman stressed, if we can afford to bail out banks, we can afford to bail out ordinary people too.

Featured image via Flickr – Victor van Werkhooven

Share128Tweet80
Previous Post

Drivers supplying supermarkets can stay on road longer to fill shelves

Next Post

Almost 200 medical doctors say Julian Assange’s health is at increased risk from coronavirus

Next Post
Julian Assange

Almost 200 medical doctors say Julian Assange's health is at increased risk from coronavirus

UK border

Police pay damages after admitting they unlawfully forced a Muslim woman to remove her hijab

Jeremy Corbyn at PMQs

Jeremy Corbyn's last PMQs shows that he's the leader this country really needs

Coronavirus and Boris Johnson to represent long Covid

The Tories just revealed the most terrifying part of their coronavirus plan

Muslim women holding placard saying '#HandsOffOurHijabs'

In a powerful new video protesting against extreme laws, Muslim women say ‘hands off our hijabs'

Please login to join discussion
horoscope
Horoscopes

Horoscope today: your 24-hour briefing for life, love, and more

by Steve Topple
22 May 2025
Israel Netanyahu
Analysis

Verbal condemnation of Israel from European leaders is not enough

by Alaa Shamali
21 May 2025
TransActual toilet Supreme Court
News

Trans advocacy organisation unveils “Third Toilet” outside Supreme Court

by HG
21 May 2025
Labour polling Starmer
Analysis

New poll shows Labour’s pandering to the far right is failing miserably

by Ed Sykes
21 May 2025
Jeremy Corbyn
Analysis

Jeremy Corbyn suggests a new party will be in place before 2026 elections

by Ed Sykes
21 May 2025
  • Contact
  • About & FAQ
  • Get our Daily News Email
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

The Canary
PO Box 71199
LONDON
SE20 9EX

Canary Media Ltd – registered in England. Company registration number 09788095.

For guest posting, contact [email protected]

For other enquiries, contact: [email protected]

The Canary is owned and run by independent journalists and volunteers, NOT offshore billionaires.

You can write for us, or support us by making a regular or one-off donation.

© Canary Media Ltd 2024, all rights reserved | Website by Monster | Hosted by Krystal | Privacy Settings

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion

© 2023 Canary - Worker's co-op.

Before you go, have you seen...?

horoscope
Horoscopes
Steve Topple

Horoscope today: your 24-hour briefing for life, love, and more

Israel Netanyahu
Analysis
Alaa Shamali

Verbal condemnation of Israel from European leaders is not enough

TransActual toilet Supreme Court
News
HG

Trans advocacy organisation unveils “Third Toilet” outside Supreme Court

Labour polling Starmer
Analysis
Ed Sykes

New poll shows Labour’s pandering to the far right is failing miserably

ADVERTISEMENT
Analysis
Nathan Spears

Vote for the Press Photograph of the Year 2024

Image by Burkard Meyendriesch from Pixabay
Feature
Nathan Spears

Why Santiago Ways is the Leading Choice for Walking the Camino de Santiago

Environment
Nathan Spears

EU elections point to growing public desire for new policymaking approach in Brussels