Basic income for care leavers - Wales

[ChevronB19]

What a fantastic idea. I can’t think of anyone who isn’t in care who doesn’t receive some form of support from their parents - this can only help.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-60391...

[number2]

ChevronB19 said:

What a fantastic idea. I can’t think of anyone who isn’t in care who doesn’t receive some form of support from their parents - this can only help.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-60391...

I'm sure a lot don't get support from parents but that's an aside.

Nowt wrong with the government providing support - and support should be there - question is, is this the best way? Training, employment opportunities, mentoring, a home, being just some alternatives that may have a more material and longer lasting impact.

Does the article quote empirical evidence that basic income doesn't have the desired outcome of getting people into work?

I don't question the provision of support, only whether in this form it will be at all effective in the face of prior evidence showing it isn't (albeit not perhaps for this specific group), and whether alternatives should be considered.

[clockworks]

I don't get this "kids can't manage without parental support" thing.

My parents kicked me out when I was 17, 6 months before I was due to take my A levels. I came home from school one day, to be told that I was moving into a bedsit at the weekend. The only help I got was my dad paying the deposit and the first month's rent - £10 a week, so £80 total.

I had to leave school and get a job, just went back to sit my exams. I had a few quid saved from Saturday/holiday jobs, so I could afford to eat and put petrol in the motorbike until I got paid.

I didn't speak to my parents for a year or so, did everything on my own.

[Scotty2]

Can you send some to my Son who has to work long hours to earn that sort of money.

Also, when they are dishing out housing to immigrants, can you tell me when my Son will get one as his name does not appear on the list due to him working and paying taxes...

[anonymous-user]

Scotty2 said:

Can you send some to my Son who has to work long hours to earn that sort of money.

Also, when they are dishing out housing to immigrants, can you tell me when my Son will get one as his name does not appear on the list due to him working and paying taxes...

Where is this immigrants-only housing list, I'd like to put my name down.

I'm guessing you mean asylum seekers or something.

[thewarlock]

clockworks said:

I don't get this "kids can't manage without parental support" thing.

My parents kicked me out when I was 17, 6 months before I was due to take my A levels. I came home from school one day, to be told that I was moving into a bedsit at the weekend. The only help I got was my dad paying the deposit and the first month's rent - £10 a week, so £80 total.

I had to leave school and get a job, just went back to sit my exams. I had a few quid saved from Saturday/holiday jobs, so I could afford to eat and put petrol in the motorbike until I got paid.

I didn't speak to my parents for a year or so, did everything on my own.

Who are you quoting here?

Your parents sound like aholes btw, but it also sounds like a different time. You were 17, had a motorbike, and when your parents booted you out they gave you effectively 2 months rent.

Not quite the same deal as the kids in this article

[Scotty2]

You say Asylum Seeker, I say Immigrant...Let's call the whole thing off...
I will counter with "So Called" Asylum Seeker as we know that most are not genuine.

[thewarlock]

MrMan001 said:

Scotty2 said:

Can you send some to my Son who has to work long hours to earn that sort of money.

Also, when they are dishing out housing to immigrants, can you tell me when my Son will get one as his name does not appear on the list due to him working and paying taxes...

Where is this immigrants-only housing list, I'd like to put my name down.

I'm guessing you mean asylum seekers or something.

Tricky, on one hand, his son probably does work hard to earn his money.

On the other hand, he's not fleeing war, to another country where he perhaps doesn't even speak the language, barely knows anyone, and is fortunate enough to be provided with a roof over their head.

"Immigrants" are an easy target, but 99% of people that complain about them have no idea what they've been through.

[anonymous-user]

thewarlock said:

"Immigrants" are an easy target, but 99% of people that complain about them have no idea what they've been through.

Yes, and asylum seekers must make up a pretty small proportion of 'immigrants' to the UK. Most immigrants have no recourse to public funds at all for at least 5 years, except for some benefits you accrue by paying income tax/NI.

[ChevronB19]

Talk about thread drift. It’s always about ‘the immigrants’ isn’t it? Jeez.

[bmwmike]

ChevronB19 said:

What a fantastic idea. I can’t think of anyone who isn’t in care who doesn’t receive some form of support from their parents - this can only help.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-60391...

Concur! I fully support this and would like it expanded in future.

Not sure why everyone is talking about asylum seekers and immigrants though. I've been an immigrant in a few different countries; i think its a great experience and i'd like to think i was a contributor to those countries. I have no problem with anyone coming here to work. Perhaps some of the recipients of the Welsh scheme will get opportunities, including overseas, as a result of the money.

PS I take it when folks complain about immigrants, they've never themselves actually worked overseas?

[ChevronB19]

Scotty2 said:

You say Asylum Seeker, I say Immigrant...Let's call the whole thing off...
I will counter with "So Called" Asylum Seeker as we know that most are not genuine.

‘We’ know. Facepalm. All things aside, if you can’t tell the difference between an ‘immigrant’ and an ‘asylum seeker’, you really shouldn’t be allowed near the internet.

I notice your profile says you are a ‘gas storage consultant’. Somewhat appropriate that.

[mike74]

Why are they calling this a trial of ''Universal Basic Income'' when it's nothing of the sort?

[ChevronB19]

clockworks said:

I don't get this "kids can't manage without parental support" thing.

My parents kicked me out when I was 17, 6 months before I was due to take my A levels. I came home from school one day, to be told that I was moving into a bedsit at the weekend. The only help I got was my dad paying the deposit and the first month's rent - £10 a week, so £80 total.

I had to leave school and get a job, just went back to sit my exams. I had a few quid saved from Saturday/holiday jobs, so I could afford to eat and put petrol in the motorbike until I got paid.

I didn't speak to my parents for a year or so, did everything on my own.

‘the only help I got’. So yes, you got help. You do know that care leavers are kicked out at 18 with *no* help, don’t you?

[Byker28i]

Our way they stuck the asylum seekers into Penally camp, which has now been shut down.
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/asyl...

Pretty sure that wasn't luxury

Plus those leaving care that are eligible for the scheme are expected to be limited to about 500 people...

[Hungrymc]

mike74 said:

Why are they calling this a trial of ''Universal Basic Income'' when it's nothing of the sort?

It’s a bit of an odd hybrid isn’t it. This is actually an enhanced benefit to people leaving care and has little to do with UBI.

[Mark Asread]

mike74 said:

Why are they calling this a trial of ''Universal Basic Income'' when it's nothing of the sort?

Did you even read the article? They're explicitly NOT calling it UBI, because it's not.

[sugerbear]

Scotty2 said:

Can you send some to my Son who has to work long hours to earn that sort of money.

Also, when they are dishing out housing to immigrants, can you tell me when my Son will get one as his name does not appear on the list due to him working and paying taxes...

Maybe you should try writing too your local tory mp and ask him/her why they aren't building any houses your son can afford.

[S600BSB]

I think this is an excellent idea. Hope the other UK nations follow.

[BoRED S2upid]

mike74 said:

Why are they calling this a trial of ''Universal Basic Income'' when it's nothing of the sort?

Well it’s certainly not universal but it is a basic income for 500 18 year olds leaving care.

I agree with it. I’d like to see the detail behind it. They get it for 3 years but what happens if the young person gets a decent job in year 1 do they keep this basic income or is it gradually removed?