Researchers make their case for Basic Income in the BMJ

Public policy experts examining the case for transformative welfare policy and the impact on public health outcomes have outlined their research in a new editorial published by The British Medical Journal – known as the BMJ.

The BMJ, one of the world’s oldest and most influential medical journals, has been shaping global health debates and medical advances since 1840.

The research-informed editorial, invited by the BMJ and written by members of the Common Sense Policy Group at Northumbria University – Dr Elliott Johnson; Senior Research Assistant Anna Thew; Professor Matthew Johnson and Dr Howard Reed, details the ways in which a Basic Income could be used to tackle health inequalities.

Their editorial analyses a growing body of research which suggests establishing a universal support system to provide people with more financial security could have a positive effect on mental and physical health, while saving the NHS money.

The introduction of a Basic Income – a regular and unconditional cash payment from government to all citizens, regardless of whether they are in employment or how much they earn – is one option for welfare reform. While it has been the subject of several localised pilots, it has not been trialled nationally in Britain, with policymakers requiring new types of evidence on impact to determine whether the costs and benefits to public health add up.

Northumbria researchers have been involved in evaluating a Basic Income pilot for young people leaving care in Wales and have also supported a research report presented to Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, which outlines a plan for a Basic Income pilot in the city.

In 2023, they carried out extensive research and community consultation exercises, in partnership with communities in Jarrow, South Tyneside and East Finchley, London to develop community-led proposals for a two-year Basic Income pilot on a smaller scale. 

Speaking of the BMJ editorial, Dr Elliott Johnson, Vice Chancellor’s Fellow in Public Policy at Northumbria said: There is a real need to provide accurate and comprehensive evidence to government and policymakers to support the development and introduction of transformative policy for the public good. It’s therefore a significant moment to see our research recognised through the publication of this editorial in the BMJ. Importantly, and reflecting the evidence, it provides mainstream promotion for generosity and universality in welfare, especially via Basic Income, as a public health measure.”

In May, the Common Sense Policy Group also worked with Bristol University Press to publish their latest book called Basic Income: The Policy That Changes Everything. The authors argue that by breaking the cycle of poverty, a Basic Income could unlock guaranteed access to essentials like food and housing, while empowering people, by fuelling long-term thinking and entrepreneurship. 

The group is also working with researchers from across the UK to establish the latest evidence for government and policymakers in a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded study titled, Examining credibility of current evidence for welfare as a public health measure: pathways, causation and cost benefit of further research.

Further information:

Visit the Northumbria University Research Portal to find out more about the work of Professor Matthew Johnson, Dr Elliott Johnson, Dr Howard Reed and Anna Thew.

Welfare system is a key public health measure was published in the BMJ.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.r1822