- Basic Income payments for farmers? Archived Message
Posted by Ian M
on April 18, 2024, 6:03 pm
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Interested to hear thoughts on this recent report and on UBI schemes generally: https://autonomy.work/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FarmersUBI_press-1.pdf I'm loosely aware of the critique that it cedes too much control to the state, which could theoretically decide to turn off payments for 'bad' behaviour, but then it's not like allowing the market to dictate everything leaves people much control over their lives either, and can easily be manipulated by the ptb to screw over the noncompliant (market discipline enforces its own kind of compliance in any case). Also there's an argument that a UBI could merely act to prop up a failing system and actually reinforce social inequities because of where the money goes - a bit like how housing benefit enables high rents and property prices, with the supposed beneficiaries not getting to spend a penny before it gets spirited out of their bank accounts. You get a sense of this from what the respondents said they would likely spend the cash on: 'When asked about what they would spend their basic income payments on, three different categories of spending emerged: »» Basics and essentials: payments towards debt clearance, healthcare, housing costs, rent and immediate bills. »» Long-term investments: investing in their future by adding to a pension pot, investing in their food business ventures, practically maintaining tools and structures at their farms as well as employing other people to help share the workload, alongside professional development like sector based courses and conferences and investing in their local community. »» Personal and leisure: reducing hours in other part-time jobs to focus more on farming, passion pursuits and restorative time with family and friends.' (p.10) It's hard to argue with statements like 'solving this problem is essential because we just can't go on like this' (p.51), it's just whether the proposed cure is going to end up worse than the disease. Anyway, it's a long report, here's the 'executive summary' for the gist. cheers, I ***** This report draws on four sessions with farmers and growers about their lived experience and research on basic income and the UK farming sector. It outlines the current challenges in UK farming, how a basic income could uniquely meet the needs of farmers and perhaps most importantly, lays out the key areas and big questions the work to date has highlighted that should form the basis of further work. »» A basic income for farmers would be a regular, unconditional cash payment directly made to farmers and agricultural workers. »» In the UK, there has been a comprehensive investigation of potential basic income pilots in Scotland, and in Wales there is an ongoing basic income pilot for care leavers. »» In Ireland, a basic income for artists scheme launched in 2022. Over 100 pilots have been proposed in the USA and dozens others globally. »» This discussion paper intends to inform and instigate an investigation into how a basic income for farmers could work for the UK and Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England individually. The problems faced in UK farming are often underpinned by inadequate incomes for farmers. »» The true cost of food includes enough to sustain farming businesses and provide a decent livelihood to farmers. However, pressure in the UK to drive down prices has led to precarious supply chains, unpredictable procurement and farmers whose health and well-being is negatively affected by their work. »» Despite having the lowest food prices, the UK has the highest levels of food insecurity in Europe – cheap food does not serve us. »» Brexit represents a historic shift in state subsidies for farmers. Many UK farms depend on EU subsidies, and these are in the process of being replaced by schemes delivered by the UK Government. Independent and government projections show that these new schemes won’t cover the funding gaps left in this transition, and many smaller scale farms have never been eligible for this investment. »» There is a growing problem in the low yield of new workers causing a decline in the farming work force. Barriers to new entrants are numerous, and often income related, and farmers across the UK are approaching retirement age with no viable succession plans for their farms in sight. »» These issues show that a new model is needed. Based on this work so far, it appears that part of the solution could be a basic income for farmers. In this report, using our research into UK farming and evidence on basic income, we identify the ways this policy is particularly fit for purpose. »» Providing financial security for farmers directly in the form of an unconditional regular payment to them as individuals. »» Improved health and well-being is a well established outcome for basic income, and it is highly likely this would also be the case for a basic income for farmers. »» For a just transition farming needs to become a viable livelihood. A basic income for farmers could contribute to this by guaranteeing an adequate income, improving access to time off and reasonable working hours and making entering a career in farming affordable for new entrants. »» The environmental case for a basic income for farmers is part of a wider picture that involves wages, fair work, subsidies and training and education. But the freedom and flexibility a basic income provides, in addition to a new income source for small scale farmers, makes it a fit for purpose addition to the policy toolkit. »» We also propose an initial list of short, intermediate and long term policy outcomes for a basic income for farmers identified in this initial work. How this policy would impact the people in the UK farming sector is absolutely central to the development of a basic income for farmers. Over the course of this initial work we spoke to 18 farmers and growers. During these conversations we asked what they would spend a basic income on and answers fell into three categories: »» Basics and essentials: payments towards debt clearance, healthcare, housing costs, rent and immediate bills. »» Long-term investments: investing in their future by adding to a pension pot, investing in their food business ventures, practically maintaining tools and structures at their farms as well as employing other people to help share the workload, alongside professional development like sector- based courses and conferences and investing in their local community. »» Personal and leisure: reducing hours in other part-time jobs to focus more on farming, passion pursuits and restorative time with family and friends. In this discussion paper we believe there is a strong case made for a basic income for farmers. There are also clearly identified areas for further work towards the design of the policy. »» The key areas that should be consulted on further with farmers, experts in farming policy and policy researchers are: »» Eligibility: How the recipients of the basic income for farmers are defined must be designed in consultation with farmers and without alienating key groups like new entrants, workers with essential skill sets or small scale farmers. »» Payment level and frequency: Level and frequency are intrinsically linked to the impact of the policy, so it is important to get this right based on research into a funding model and consultation. »» Funding: A sustainable and redistributive funding model is required, research on the design and impacts of such a model should be produced in the short term. »» Infrastructure for delivery: Payment delivery must be seamless, it is possible that existing infrastructure could be adapted but further consultation on the requirements of this infrastructure and experience of the current systems is needed. » Interaction with other schemes: It is imperative that it does not make recipients or their businesses ineligible for payments from subsidies, social security or any other schemes that provide them with essential income. »» The political pathway, towards a basic income for farmers is worth consideration at this stage. »» As agriculture is a devolved policy area, it is important to consider political pathways towards a UK-wide roll out, as well as individually in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England. »» A basic income for farmers pilot would be desirable for building the evidence base and political support for this policy. Various approaches should be considered including government led pilots, national pilots and community led and privately funded pilots. »» The Basic Income 4 Farmers project intends to produce policy and pilot proposals in the next phase of work, informed by widespread consultation. |
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