A Citizen's Income is an unconditional, nonwithdrawable income payable to each individual as a right of citizenship.

A Citizen's Income scheme (sometimes called Basic Income or Universal Benefit) is intended to overcome the failings of the present welfare state. It would be simple in application, increase economic efficiency, help prevent poverty and unite our society. Click on a link to see how these ideas are put into practice.

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Equality of Opportunity

Values and Aims

The Organisation
The Citizen's Income Trust is an educational charitable trust.

Paying for a Citizen's Income
The report, Stumbling Towards a Basic Income, demonstrates that a Citizen's Income would most likely be paid for and introduced via a three stage process.

The history of Citizen's Income
Four strands of thought come together in CI. They are: the amelioration of the poverty trap; the pursuit of economic efficiency; the uncoupling of income and work; and the concern for an individual's freedom.

Why is Citizen's Income different from existing benefits?
Payment of means-tested benefits is a severe disincentive to seek work or an increased earned income, or to save for old age. (This is the 'poverty trap'). Child Benefit, on the other hand, results in no disincentive effects. A Citizen's Income is modelled on Child Benefit. It would be paid for by reducing means-tested and contributory benefits, and by reducing tax allowances. Such a revision of our benefits system would provide greater incentives to seek employment, to increase earned income, and to save for old age; it would give people greater choice over employment patterns within a family; it would simplify administration, and reduce error and fraud; and by including everyone in a single system it would improve social cohesion.