Headlines Adopting basic income scheme in Wales could improve health for all A report published in June (2021) by Public Health Wales suggests that introducing a basic income scheme in Wales could be a catalyst for better health and well-being outcomes for all. The idea of a universal basic income, a form of social security aimed at providing all people with a set amount of regular income, for example £500 a month without means testing, has existed for centuries but never been fully implemented. Based on international evidence, key findings of implementing such a scheme identified potential positive effects on people’s health, including: • Increasing income security: Money worries are one of the most common triggers for anxiety and depression • Reductions in child poverty and improvements in other childhood outcomes: Research shows that children are able to learn better at school when they have enough to eat and a stable family life • Improved educational attainment: Children from a financially secure background are more likely to stay in education longer or return to education • Additional money for those more likely to be in lower paid jobs such as disabled people and women from deprived areas, leading to a higher standard of living
• Greater food security and improved nutrition • Housing quality improvements and more affordable housing options • A decrease in hospital admissions particularly in relation to accidents, injuries and mental health conditions • However, when schemes were stopped, the positive effects diminished and in some cases well-being worsened from before the scheme was implemented. The report ‘A basic income to improve population health and well-being in Wales?’ considers a range of evidence and explores the potential impacts on health and well-being. It also looks into the different approaches to policy design and implementation internationally. Report author Adam Jones, Senior Policy Officer for Public Health Wales, said: “How well a basic income scheme works would certainly depend on how it’s designed and delivered. “How much income it provides, who is eligible for the income, and how long the scheme is designed to last are all crucial factors in determining outcomes. “The protection and improvement of Wales’ health is at the heart of everything we do at Public Health Wales. Evidence suggests that members of society would benefit from
