Let's Talk About Universal Basic Income

The idea of a universal basic income has been around for centuries.

Universal basic income, or UBI, is the idea of giving a fixed amount of money to every citizen, unconditionally.

It became MU policy at the MU’s 39^th Biennial Delegate Conference in summer 2021. Members discussed how it could support the creation process, help musicians through periods of illness, and work with other key welfare support to create a level playing field for every musician.

Pilots are underway with musicians and music creators in Ireland, care leavers in Wales, new mums in New York, and low income residents in Austin, Texas – but over the last hundred years or so UBI has been tested and implemented in many forms. One form is the Intermittent Artist Status that has existed in France since 1936.

Whatever form UBI takes, for creative freelancers or for everyone, it has the power to revolutionise how musicians work.

The Covid-19 pandemic showed how the UK is failing its musicians.

From the number of musicians excluded from Government’s income support schemes and relying on hardship funds to survive, to the pitiful returns musicians get from streaming.

It’s not just about pandemics either.

Basic pay would mean some remuneration for those parts of a freelance musicians’ work that often go unpaid: the creativity, writing, development, everything that leads to the finished product.

And it would empower freelancers who aren’t eligible for sick pay to take time off to recover when they need to, instead of being forced to work through it to pay the bills.

Basic pay to cover every aspect of your work

It’s about musicians being paid something for all the work they do, in a way that enables every working musician to live with dignity and not in fear of what will happen during a crisis.

Join the conversation about a universal basic income.

Here are three ways to get involved in the debate:

1. Join your local UBI Lab. UBI Lab Network has collectives across the UK and worldwide, and for different industries such as UBI Lab Arts.
2. Host a Basic Income Conversation. Basic Income Conversation provides tools and resources for you to host your own conversation about UBI with friends and local networks.
3. Are you an MU member aged 30 or under? Join the Young Members' Network for next steps in the MU's campaign.

Plus explore resources from around the web lower down this page including articles, videos and podcasts.