Alliance motion on basic income ‘badly presented’

The comments were made by Councillor Joe Nelson during a discussion of an Alliance Party motion calling for Council to support the implementation of recovery Universal Basic Income.

Alliance Party councillor Peter Lavery brought the motion before the chamber and it was seconded by his party colleague and group leader, Councillor Eóin Tennyson.

Commenting on the motion, Councillor Joe Nelson said he was struggling to understand why the motion was brought before Council.

“It is not that I don’t support the sentiment of the motion, I just don’t understand what influence Council would have in relation to this,” said Cllr Nelson.

“It is difficult to work out what Alliance are looking for here.”

Cllr Nelson said Universal Credit was a “nightmare” but that as a local councillor who spends time representing his constituents at benefit tribunals the only way he could effecitvely “push back” was through his local MLA’s office.

“I don’t understand why we are wasting time tonight on something that, at best, we will have a minimal impact on,” said Cllr Nelson.

“If you want to make statements as political parties, go ahead, but I don’t think we should be asking the corporate body to get involved in something that is very clearly the responsibility of the Department for Communities and Department of Finance.

“I support the spirit of the motion but it is badly presented and I labour the point about streamlining of council business.

“We have five motions before us tonight, most of which, to me, don’t seem to have direct relevance to the work we do and service we provide for our constituents.”

The motion was also criticised by other the other political parties in the chamber.

DUP councillor Darryn Causby said his party would agree that the benefits systems required an overhaul and put forward an amendment to the motion.

He proposed the motion read: “In the wake of the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council recognises the need for a reformed, fairer welfare system that protects everyone in society.

“It recognises the need to provide economic security for all and invest in people to protect livelihoods and kickstart the economy.

“Therefore, this Council calls on the Northern Ireland Executive to work with the Treasury to find the most effective method to help those in need.”

The proposal to amend the motion was seconded by DUP group leader, Conucllor Mark Baxter.

Cllr Lavery rejected this proposal as it removed any reference to UBI and said he believed Council should play a role in a pilot UBI scheme.

The amendment was then put to a vote with Councillor Paul Berry, the DUP, Sinn Fein and the UUP members present voting in support of it. The SDLP and the Alliance Party members present voted against it.

Sinn Fein group leader, Councillor Liam Mackle said the jury is still out on UBI.

“There is no evidence it does anything to reduce poverty or inequality,” said Cllr Mackle. “We have had an amendment proposed by the DUP and we are happy to support that.

“If there is evidence that UBI is the best route to go down I am sure the Executive will be happy to support that.”

Ulster Unionist Councillor Sam Nicholson said he would not prolong the debate but was happy with the amendment.

Councillor Tennyson then said it was a really important issue and one that Council should be working on with other councils across the UK.

Bringing the debate to a close, Councillor Lavery said he was disappointed the reference to a pilot UBI scheme had been removed from the motion.

“In this period of uncertainty, a recovery UBI could be a key support to make sure that no one falls through the cracks,” said Cllr Lavery.

The amended motion was then carried.

Speaking after the meeting, Councillors Lavery and Tennyson expressed their disappointment with the outcome.

Councillor Lavery said: “I proposed the motion in the hope Council would join a growing number of councils across Northern Ireland, and the rest of the UK, to back calls for a temporary, recovery universal basic income.

“This would help plug gaps in support for those individuals who have thus far been excluded from government support and would deliver much-needed economic stimulus as we move out of this pandemic.

“It would also go some way to remunerate those people completing unpaid work within our community, be it volunteering or caring for a friend or family member.”

Councillor Eóin Tennyson was critical of the other party’s in the chamber.

“It is disappointing that the DUP, UUP and Sinn Féin, all of whom have expressed support in various other guises, decided to remove any reference to UBI from our motion,” said Cllr Tennyson.

“These parties will get no thanks from those who have been excluded from support to date, or who become dependent on the universal credit system which is clearly insufficient.

“We will continue to work with partners, including the SDLP, the Liberal Democrats, the SNP and Plaid Cymru, towards a fairer and more resilient welfare system and economic recovery for the people we represent.”

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