THE SOCIAL DEBATE

Explosive court ruling on SRD grant in South Africa
Government ordered to “progressively increase” the grant and income threshold, and allow in-person applications

Universal basic income vs. welfare: Here’s what UBI could mean for America’s safety net
As America’s cities look to alleviate poverty, universal basic income has been proposed by local leaders as a complement to existing welfare.

Food banks were never supposed to be permanent, CEO says
Conceived as a stopgap measure to address unmet needs in some communities, food banks were first implemented on a large scale in Canada in the 1980s.

Universal programs are much easier to administer than means-tested ones
Universal programs are much easier to administer than means-tested ones.

Opinion: We all deserve more money. Let me prove why it’s time for universal basic income
A universal basic income policy is simple yet transformative, writes Zack Polanski, deputy leader of the Green Party of England and Wales

Volunteers providing meals in eastern P.E.I. renew call for basic income guarantee
‘A good, solid basic income policy needs to be looked at strongly in Canada’

Opinion: What “Universal Basic Guys” gets wrong about basic income – and why it matters
Narratives can inspire hope, spark change or, as in the case of Fox’s new animated series “Universal Basic Guys” (now streaming on Hulu) reduce transformative ideas to shallow stereotypes.

Biden says he was ‘stupid’ not to sign Covid stimulus checks as Trump did
President says failure may have contributed to voters blaming him for high prices even as economy improved

Opinion: A basic income grant is our most potent weapon in the fight against hunger
A shocking 64.7% of all South African households have expenditure on food per person that is below the food poverty line. Hunger creates a ticking time bomb which can be devastating when the fuse is lit.

NY Governor Hochul Proposes Sending 8.6 Million New Yorkers an ‘Inflation Refund Check’ as First Proposal of 2025 State of the State
Proposal Would Deliver $3 Billion by Taking Excess Sales Tax Revenue Driven by Inflation and Giving That Money Back to Everyday New Yorkers

Chavit Singson wants universal basic income in Philippines if elected senator
The passing of a universal basic income law would be the first order of business for former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson if he wins in the senatorial elections next year.

Democratic Party of Korea decides to revise party platform to include Universal Basic Income
The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) decided Monday to revise its platform to include former leader Lee Jae-myung’s “basic society” welfare plan centering on guaranteeing universal basic income.

Food banks across Canada are begging to be put out of business with basic income
Campaign asks Canadians to top up their donations by calling for basic income

Reimagining Conservation Post-Cop16: The Case for a Universal Basic Income
The global environmental crisis, manifesting in the accelerated loss of biodiversity, is exacerbated by deep socio-economic inequalities.

Rethinking Universal Basic Income: Economic Productivity, Quality of Life and the Sustainable Development Goals
Recent concern about the uncertain impacts of artificial intelligence has fueled renewed discussion of universal basic income (UBI).

Basic Income Grant coalition in Namibia protests conditional basic income grant
“We are not happy with what the government is doing right now: excluding a lot of people in the country who are not eligible for that Haraambe cash grant,” she said.

Sustainable welfare for a sustainable planet
The economy must provide sustainable welfare to stay within planetary boundaries. UBI and UBS show us the way

Corporations raised $16 million to oppose Oregon’s universal basic income plan. They won.
Oregon’s universal basic income measure failed, with 78.8% of voters opposing the policy.

Opinion: Open Your Heart to Universalism
In matters of social protection, please trust your instincts and do what your heart tells you!

New poll shows more people in the UK support Universal Basic Income than oppose it
46% of Brits back a UBI

Why Measure 118 in Oregon Was Written To Be Fully Universal
A universal yearly tax rebate – with similar principles to UBI – could drastically improve life in this US state

Opinion: A Sustainable Global Universal Basic Income Can Be Done
We have developed a model that can provide a global UBI through a ‘cap and share’ scheme for fossil fuels that also tackles climate change.

Oregon businesses are spending millions to oppose a ballot measure that would give every resident a $1,600-a-year basic income
Businesses have spent millions to oppose the 3% tax on corporate sales over $25 million.

NDP’s push for basic income in Canada thwarted at second reading
An NDP attempt to push through universal basic income was short-lived after a majority of MPs voted against a bill to push through the initiative during its second reading.

Advocates Form the New York State Cash Alliance to Champion a Guaranteed Income in New York
Today, Creatives Rebuild New York — in partnership with Win, Children’s Defense Fund-New York, and other advocates — announced the formation of the New York State Cash Alliance.

Scalise’s Democrat challenger promises universal basic income program
A Democrat challenging House Majority Leader Steve Scalise supports a universal basic income program to address Louisiana’s economic, education and health care issues.

Trump and Biden agree: The US should finally start a sovereign wealth fund
Something Biden and Trump can agree on — a sovereign wealth fund isn’t a bad idea.

A Newborn Tax Credit Could Be Worthwhile, With Sound Administration
Harris proposal would substantially increase the child tax credit for newborns

With Measure 118, a new business tax proposal is scrambling old battle lines
Virtually every major player in Oregon politics has come out against the proposal. That’s a big change — and no guarantee it can’t succeed.

Harris proposes $6,000 tax credit for new parents
In a speech on Friday in North Carolina, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris will propose a raft of progressive economic proposals that echo and expand on President Biden’s agenda, campaign officials said.

Oregon residents will vote in November on a $1,600 annual universal basic income
A ballot measure to give Oregon residents a $1,600 tax rebate faces bipartisan opposition.

Churches in South Africa join call for basic income grant
Providing a guaranteed minimum level of income frees people from vicious cycle of poverty, says Archbishop Thabo Makgoba.