Money for Everyone: Why We Need a Citizen's Income

Due to government cuts, the benefits system is currently a hot topic. In this timely book, a Citizen's Income (sometimes called a Basic Income) is defined as an unconditional, non-withdrawable income for every individual as a right of citizenship. This much-needed book, written by an experienced researcher and author, is the first for over a decade to analyse the social, economic and labour market advantages of a Citizen's Income in the UK. It demonstrates that it would be simple and cheap to administer, would reduce inequality, enhance individual freedom and would be good for the economy, social cohesion, families, and the employment market. It also contains international comparisons and links with broader issues around the meaning of poverty and inequality, making a valuable contribution to the debate around benefits. Accessibly written, this is essential reading for policy-makers, researchers, teachers, students, and anyone interested in the future of our society and our economy

Table of Contents:
A note on terminology; Imagine …; How did we get to where we are now?; Why do some reform proposals succeed, and some fail?; How might we implement a Citizen’s Income?; Has it ever happened?; Criteria for a benefits system: coherence and administrative simplicity; Criteria for a benefits system: the family, then, now, and in the future; Criteria for a benefits system: incentives, efficiency, and dignity; Criteria for a benefits system: the labour market, then, now, and in the future; Would people work?; Would a Citizen’s Income be an answer to poverty, inequality, and injustice?; Who should receive a Citizen’s Income?; Is a Citizen’s Income politically feasible?; Can we afford a Citizen’s Income?; Alternatives to a Citizen’s Income; What can a Citizen’s Income not cope with?; A brief summary; Afterword.

About the Author :
Dr. Malcolm Torry is Director of the Citizen's Income Trust; he has first degrees in mathematics, theology, philosophy, and economics and management; and higher degrees in social policy and in theology. He has recently completed an honorary research fellowship in the Social Policy Department at the London School of Economics. He is Team Rector of the Church of England Parish of East Greenwich.

Review :
"Comprehensive and persuasive, this book debunks the current orthodoxies on welfare reform, and sets out a radical alternative to coercion and 'targeting' - a universal, unconditional, non-withdrawable payment for every citizen." ---Bill Jordan, Professor of Social Policy, Plymouth University. "Citizen's Income is a big idea whose time might at last have come. Malcolm Torry's book could play a part in making that happen. Everyone should read it." ---Professor Hartley Dean, London School of Economics. "The author attempts to explore its complications on the economy, social cohesion, families, and the employment market". Aurelie Charles, Blog, University of Bath, Centre for Development Studies "Very thorough presentation is worthy of the LSE tradition to which it belongs", Geoff Crocker, Liberal Democrat Voice "Provides a wide ranging but general introduction for those who are new to the subject, while offering those with more familiarity a useful compendium of recent literatures and debates." Social Policy & Administration