Unconditional Basic Income eyed by the European Commission

Brussels, 24 November 2020- The European Commission (EC) admits that it follows with interest the debate on Universal Basic Income and says that it will ‘assess national recovery and resilience plans, including on social protection measures ' in the different Member States of the European Union (EU).

The answer comes after MEP Francisco Guerreiro (Greens/EFA) questioned the Commission about the possibility of implementing an Unconditional Basic Income pilot project in the EU.

‘The Commission's response is a relevant commitment, but insufficient to respond to the economic and social challenges of the pandemic, as well as the spiraling unemployment associated with the automation of millions of jobs in Europe. We believe that “follows with interest”, given the current situation, is not a sufficient answer. We understand that the development of an Unconditional Basic Income pilot project (and not just a Universal one) should be considered, aggregating the knowledge gathered in the various pilot experiences carried out in other countries,’ says Francisco Guerreiro.

In its answer to the MEP, the EC sais it is ‘committed to support policies protecting people from falling into poverty, in particular those in vulnerable situations. Following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Commission has put forward several measures to help Member States to mitigate the socioeconomic impact of the crisis, including support for short-term employment schemes under t he European instrument for temporary Support to mitigate Unemployment Risks in an Emergency (SURE) and the Coronavirus Recovery Investment Initiatives, which provide for continued income for workers during the pandemic.' 

Francisco Guerreiro asked the EC whether it 'considered the possibility of direct payments to European citizens in response to the crisis, as a means of getting round the inefficiencies of indirect support payments through credit institutions or national governments' and whether it would be 'willing to make adjustments to a number of MFF or Recovery Fund programmes in order to launch a pilot project for the introduction of unconditional basic income in the Member States’.

The Commission insists that it will act ‘in line with the Treaties, Member States define the fundamental principles of their social protection systems, including income support schemes. All Member States have in place so-called minimum income schemes, which provide a safety net of last resort. The Commission promotes the right to adequate minimum income benefits through the European Pillar of Social Rights, monitors the national systems in the European Semester and facilitates mutual learning to support upward convergence.’

Read the question to the EC here, as well as the written answer.

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