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Shaun Bailey: Tory mayoral candidate says universal income would be used for drugs | Shaun Bailey: Tory mayoral candidate says universal income would be used for drugs |
(about 1 month later) | |
Shaun Bailey is the Conservative candidate for the 6 May London mayoral election | Shaun Bailey is the Conservative candidate for the 6 May London mayoral election |
London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey has been criticised for claiming people "would buy lots of drugs" if they were given a universal basic income (UBI). | London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey has been criticised for claiming people "would buy lots of drugs" if they were given a universal basic income (UBI). |
Mr Bailey, a member of the Greater London Authority (GLA) Conservatives, made his comments during a debate about piloting the system in the capital. | Mr Bailey, a member of the Greater London Authority (GLA) Conservatives, made his comments during a debate about piloting the system in the capital. |
He said he had concerns about how "the human condition" was being overlooked by supporters of a UBI. | He said he had concerns about how "the human condition" was being overlooked by supporters of a UBI. |
Critics called his claims "extraordinary" and "shocking". | Critics called his claims "extraordinary" and "shocking". |
Mr Bailey, a former youth worker, told the GLA's economy committee at City Hall: "I know some people who would absolutely fly if you gave them a lump sum every week. I know some people that would buy lots of drugs. | Mr Bailey, a former youth worker, told the GLA's economy committee at City Hall: "I know some people who would absolutely fly if you gave them a lump sum every week. I know some people that would buy lots of drugs. |
He added: "So where is the care for the person? How do you get past just universally giving people money?" | He added: "So where is the care for the person? How do you get past just universally giving people money?" |
LONDON'S ELECTION: THE BASICS | |
What's happening: On 6 May people will vote to elect a mayor as well as 25 members of the London Assembly. Together, they make up the Greater London Authority (GLA), which governs the capital - you can register to vote here. | |
What difference does it make? The mayor has a £19bn budget and is responsible for Transport for London, the Metropolitan Police, and has a role in housing, planning and the environment. The London Assembly holds the mayor to account by examining their policies. Find out more here. | |
Who is standing? London's current mayor, Labour's Sadiq Khan, is seeking re-election and his main challenger is Conservative Shaun Bailey, but there are 18 others running. | |
Simon Duffy, director of the Centre for Welfare Reform, said Mr Bailey's comment that some Londoners would use the money for drugs was "an extraordinary claim" and "quite shocking". | Simon Duffy, director of the Centre for Welfare Reform, said Mr Bailey's comment that some Londoners would use the money for drugs was "an extraordinary claim" and "quite shocking". |
Mr Duffy told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "There is a myth that ordinary people don't know how to spend money. It's not just false, it's clearly unproven." | Mr Duffy told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "There is a myth that ordinary people don't know how to spend money. It's not just false, it's clearly unproven." |
The committee voted in favour of trialling a UBI in London, although it will be up to individual boroughs to host the scheme, with Richmond and Islington having already indicated an interest in doing so. | The committee voted in favour of trialling a UBI in London, although it will be up to individual boroughs to host the scheme, with Richmond and Islington having already indicated an interest in doing so. |
Other cities in the UK are also vying to become the first to trial the system. | Other cities in the UK are also vying to become the first to trial the system. |
A Universal Basic Income scheme would pay everyone a set income, regardless of their means or work status | A Universal Basic Income scheme would pay everyone a set income, regardless of their means or work status |
Lib Dem Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon, said she was "delighted" that the motion had passed. | Lib Dem Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon, said she was "delighted" that the motion had passed. |
"If a UBI had been in place before Covid-19 it would have provided automatic essential income top-ups for those who really needed it" she added. | "If a UBI had been in place before Covid-19 it would have provided automatic essential income top-ups for those who really needed it" she added. |
A spokesperson for Bailey's campaign said: "Shaun Bailey has over 20 years of experience as a youth worker. | A spokesperson for Bailey's campaign said: "Shaun Bailey has over 20 years of experience as a youth worker. |
"He's been homeless and he's been out of work. So Shaun won't take any lectures from career politicians on what life is like for those struggling to get on". | "He's been homeless and he's been out of work. So Shaun won't take any lectures from career politicians on what life is like for those struggling to get on". |
The London mayoral and London Assembly elections take place on 6 May. | The London mayoral and London Assembly elections take place on 6 May. |
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