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Report
Public attitudes
Social security

Could a 'citizen's income' work?

Calls for a citizen’s income have raised the prospect of a simpler method for ensuring everyone has enough to live on.

Written by:
Donald Hirsch
Date published:

However, its introduction would require changes in how society views the role of the state in redistributing income.

This paper

  • identifies what would be the main implications of introducing a citizen’s income in the UK;
  • considers what this might mean in terms of redistribution and taxation;
  • identifies changes in how the public and policy-makers think about the level and conditions attached to state support that would be required for a citizen’s income to work.
Ballot papers being counted during an election.

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