New book outlines why Basic Income could be the solution to poverty and inequality

Public policy experts at Northumbria University, whose research focuses on welfare reform as a means of tackling poverty and inequality, are preparing for the publication of a new book which examines the case for the introduction of a Basic Income.

Containing the latest research, analysis and insights from real-world trials on the policy which involves a regular cash payment from government to all citizens, regardless of circumstances, the book called Basic Income: The Policy That Changes Everything is the latest publication by the Common Sense Policy Group.

The group, featuring Northumbria researchers as well as academics from other universities, policymakers, third sector leaders, community representatives, and people with lived experience, is chaired by Professor Matthew Johnson from the University’s Department of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing. Members are actively involved in a number of high-profile pilot proposals and research projects across the United Kingdom, gathering the latest evidence on the use of Basic Income as a transformative welfare policy.

The book, published by Bristol University Press, is informed by this ongoing research and explores the ripple effects of financial security – better health, stronger communities, more education, meaningful work, and engaged citizenship. The authors argue that by breaking the cycle of poverty, a Basic Income can unlock guaranteed access to essentials like food and housing, while empowering people, and fuelling long-term thinking and entrepreneurship.  

Professor Johnson said: “This book shows why Basic Income isn’t just possible – it’s a vital solution to our age of crisis, paving the way for a fairer society, and ending the myriad of welfare mechanisms that often allow some of the most vulnerable people in society to fall through the cracks to face poverty and hunger. The point of the Basic Income is not to replace an open economy or paid work, but to enhance it. The purpose is to put a sound floor under everyone’s feet to give people a level of security and freedom that benefits all areas of life.”

Professor Kate Pickett from the University of York, Epidemiology Lead for the Common Sense Policy Group, said: “Poverty and inequality are a blight on our contemporary society, causing us untold damage and threatening our future prosperity and wellbeing.  Our book isn't just another catalogue of these woes – it doesn't help to simply keep on describing the problems. Instead, we show that Basic Income is a simple and feasible solution to this fundamental crisis, a practical and much better alternative to endlessly putting sticking plasters on our broken Britain.”

The new book follows the publication of Act Now: A vision for a better future and a new social contract in 2024, a book which was written as a blueprint for policy reform in Britain by the Common Sense Policy Group and released before last year’s General Election.

Members of the author team will visit the House of Commons in June to meet MPs and discuss some of the themes within the new book, and the supporting research, at a Parliamentary reception on Tuesday 24th June.

Dr Elliott Johnson, Vice Chancellor’s Fellow in Public Policy at Northumbria and Impact Lead for the Common Sense Policy Group, will also discuss the book at a panel event to be held in Bristol on Friday 20th June, in conversation with co-leader of the Green Party, Carla Denyer MP. Discover more here about the Bristol event and reserve tickets.

Dr Johnson said: “Reducing conditionality and ensuring people have enough money for the basics improves health and removes perverse disincentives from engaging in work as well as physical and social activity. The recent study of Basic Income in a comparable country like Germany demonstrates why. Welfare is upstream of health and governments would be well-advised to see it as an investment in long-term population health and the public purse.”

The book, Basic Income: The Policy That Changes Everything, is available to pre-order now.

• Members of the author team will speak at an official launch event, to be held at Northumbria University’s Newcastle City Campus on Monday 12th May from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. The event will be held in Lecture Theatre 003, Business & Law Building, Northumbria University, City Campus East, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST. All welcome.