Londoners are facing an inequality crisis. A transfer of wealth from multi-millionaires to billionaires is not just popular – it’s also necessary.

In November 2022, 285 politicians and campaigners united to urge the Government to launch Universal Basic Income (UBI) pilots in all four nations of the UK.

The Mayor of London was among those signatories, and his recent support for a UBI pilot in London is a testament to the work of dedicated Londoners over many years, pushing our city’s leader to envision a more equal future.

But, despite his own research showing UBI could lift more than 100,000 Londoners out of poverty, the Mayor has failed to install any kind of income floor.

UBI could lift more than 100,000 Londoners out of poverty

That’s where the City Hall Greens’ unique scrutiny position comes in: we have held the Mayor to his own promise, reminding him that the thousands of Londoners whose lives would be transformed by UBI deserve more than excuses about national government’s inaction.

So in March 2023, Zack Polanski published a new report, ‘Involving Londoners in a Basic Income Pilot’, co-written with Cleo Goodman, Project Director and co-founder of Basic Income Conversation, to lay out the case for that London UBI pilot.

At the core of Zack’s proposal were Londoners themselves: A 2023 poll showed 50% of Londoners say they support a universal basic income, while a 2024 showed that number in support rose even higher.

That popularity makes it clear why other corners of the United Kingdom have piloted UBI programs:

• Communities like Grange Big Local in East Finchley have initiated work on a locally led micro pilot, but they need support from their Mayor.
• The Welsh Government has launched a world-leading pilot involving young people leaving care.
• The Scottish Government has indicated its intention to pilot Basic Income during this parliament

Change is possible – it just requires the imagination and vision to do things differently.

Zack and the City Hall Greens will continue to push the Mayor to follow through on his own support for a UBI pilot program, so that every Londoner has the resources and support they need to thrive.