Notes of second working group for UBI Sheffield - sharing information and plans for implementation of basic income in Sheffield.

1. #UBIShef No. 2
10th July, Quaker Meeting House
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NB To Join Contact basicincomesheffield@gmail.com

2. • Jason Leman (Chair)
• Simon Duffy
• James Lock
• Mark Bryan
• Niall Ward-O’Brien
• Abi Stevely
• Jack Czauderna
• Jon Maiden
• Isaac Hanson
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Present

3. Discussion
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4. • Our goal is to bring basic income to Sheffield, ideally by
launching a major pilot project; however we want the process of
developing the case for basic income to also be engaging and
educational - helping people to understand its potential benefits,
while also revealing the extreme injustices that are part of the
current system. Our priority: raise the debate.
• The group is primarily motivated by issues of justice: inequality,
health and well-being, community life and ensuring the dignity of
work.
• Need to ensure that we develop an account of basic income that
is consistent with our values, and the values of Sheffield.
• We can organise discussion groups, present to existing groups
and develop educational resources to share in schools.

5. • What will really persuade people? This is itself a critical research
question and we do not know for sure what will be persuasive. The
general public are likely to welcome clear, engaging and short
presentations of ideas and evidence.
• We need arguments that appeal to a wider community and to the
median voters. e.g. Not just about freedom from work, but also the
ability to get the right kind of work to fit your talents.
• Different systems, will be persuaded by different factors e.g. political
persuasion will be necessary to engage DWP; academic persuasion
will be needed to engage EHRC; local councillors will be persuaded
by different factors.
• We do not want UBI Sheffield to be treated as an idea that is linked
to just one political party. It will be important to engage all parties.

6. • Ideally we should aim for research processes that include Bronze (low
cost, high feasibility), Silver, Gold (high numbers and academic
credibility) options.
• Ideally we need qualitative and quantitive research and we may need
different and parallel process to gather it.
• It might be possible to publish our own working papers that share
ideas, publish research and invite discussion.
• We can build on quasi-basic income scenarios: child benefit, state
pension, old Incapacity Benefit
• The process of persuasion, development and engaging others will
inevitable mean that things will change (growing opportunities - and
clearer constraints). At this stage we want to make an initial
proposition… and then allow things to change.

7. Actions
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8. • Simon will turn notes from Meeting 1 into an initial paper
(Values, Model & Summary) - completed end of July
• Niall, Issac & Jason will explore educational resources for
schools
• Mark to consider options for a proposal for quantitive
research
• James will propose idea of pilot through the Fairness
Strategy Group and other civil society bodies - end of July
• James to start explore logo and tagline - at next stage
• James to share Skills Audit - to be completed online
• Simon will link Mark to folk in Glasgow