The large income disparities which characterise our society are a sign of significant social and economic injustice. The Green Party believes that working people should be paid a decent, living wage and, like every other citizen, be entitled to a sufficient level of economic security to meet their needs. Every worker, like every citizen, should have the right to fair income security, whether working, unemployed, in retirement or in sickness. Everyone should be paid the same for work of equal value, regardless of age. To these ends the Green Party proposes a Citizens’ Income payable to every citizen as a basic right, funded by an ecological and genuinely progressive taxation system, which will also mean that the need to test “availability for work” is no longer required.

The Citizens’ Income policy sets the Greens apart from other political parties. Successive governments’ oppressive use of coercion and privatisation of public services, which diminish the bargaining power of ordinary citizens, makes implementing the Citizens’ Income policy more urgent, yet it is also a potentially great electoral opportunity. The introduction of the Citizens’ Income will provide all citizens with a level of economic security. Once the public has grasped that means testing is a form of taxation, there is no reason why the coaltion governments Workfare plans shouldn’t be another “Poll Tax moment”.

The Citizens’ Income will be sufficient to cover an individual’s basic needs, which will replace tax-free allowances and most social security benefits. It is an unconditional, non-withdrawable income payable to each individual as a right of citizenship. It will not be subject to means testing and there will be no requirement to be either working or actively seeking work. The Citizens’ Income will eliminate the unemployment and poverty traps, as well as acting as a safety net to enable people to choose their own types and patterns of work. The Citizens’ Income scheme will thus enable the welfare state to develop towards a welfare community, engaging people in personally satisfying and socially useful work.

When the Citizens’ Income is introduced it is intended that nobody will be in a position that they will receive less through the scheme than they were entitled to under the previous benefits system. Children will be entitled to a reduced amount which will be payable to a parent or legal guardian. Disabled people or people with special needs, and single parents will receive a supplement. Initially, the housing benefit system will remain in place alongside the Citizens’ Income and will be extended to cover contributions towards mortgage repayments. This will subsequently be reviewed to establish how housing benefit could be incorporated into the Citizen’s Income, taking into account the differences in housing costs between different parts of the country and different types of housing.

One of the experts behind the Citizens’ Income is Clive Lord, a founding member of “People” party 40 years ago which went on to eventually become the Green Party of England & Wales. Clive is still a member and now living in Leeds. His blog discusses the subject extensively. More information about Green Party economic policy can be found here