Summary

  • The Social Security Committee takes evidence on the Citizen's Income

  • Prisoner's privileges, the British Transport Police in Scotland and the GP out-of-hours service are all raised during general questions

  • Deputy First Minister John Swinney stands in for Nicola Sturgeon during first minister's questions

  • Tory MSP Adam Tomkins leads this afternoon's member's debate on community jobs in Scotland

  • The government leads a debate on the Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order 2017

  • MSPs debate biodiversity

Live Reporting

Craig Hutchison and Colin Bell

  1. Background: From SPICE

    Basic Income Earth NetworkBasic Income Earth Network

    Basic Income Earth Network

    The Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN) traces the idea of a basic income back as far as the early 16th Century, quoting Thomas More‟s Utopia (1516): “Instead of inflicting these horrible punishments, it would be far more to the point to provide everyone with some means of livelihood, so that nobody‟s under the frightful necessity of becoming, first a thief, and then a corpse.”  

    BIEN gives a useful summary of the evolution public assistance measures, and how humanist, republican and socialist philosophy play a part in the evolution of the modern concept of a basic income.

    BIEN‟s view is that a “basic income” should be defined as “a periodic cash payment unconditionally delivered to all on an individual basis, without means-test or work requirement.”   

    Read more here.

  2. Basic income pilots must be conducted properly

    Annie Miller from the Citizen's Basic Income Network in Scotland bbc

    Annie Miller from the Citizen's Basic Income Network in Scotland

    Annie Miller from the Citizen's Basic Income Network in Scotland says the pilots must be carried out properly.

    Ms Miller says this must be a proper basic income scheme.

    She says one of the problems is if it is voluntary how will richer people be persuaded to join, especially if it punishes them, as some schemes do. 

  3. If there were more devolved powers it would be easier to introduce a basic income

    Landman Economics director Howard Reedbbc

    Landman Economics director Howard Reed

    Siobhan Mathers from Reform Scotland welcomes the pilots in Glasgow and Health.

    Landman Economics director Howard Reed says the Scottish government does not have control over tax credits.

    Mr Reed says if there were more devolved powers it would be easier to introduce a basic income.   

  4. RSA says you need power over the whole system to implement a basic income

    RSA director Anthony Painter says introducing basic income is a holistic change and involves supporting a swathe of people.

    Mr Painter says you need power over the whole system to implement a basic income. 

    Professor Donald Hirsch the director of the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough bbc

    Professor Donald Hirsch the director of the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough

    Professor Donald Hirsch the director of the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University says he agrees with that.

    Prof Hirsch says the experiments in Finland and Canada are not experiments in basic income, but experiments in aspects of it.

  5. Citizen's Income evidence session begins

    witnessesbbc

    The  Social Security Committee  begins and convener Sandra White introduces the witnesses: 

    • Professor Donald Hirsch the director of the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University
    • Siobhan Mathers from Reform Scotland
    • Annie Miller from the Citizen’s Basic Income Network in Scotland
    • Landman Economics director Howard Reed  
    • RSA director Anthony Painter

  6. Background: Scottish government 'interested' in universal basic income

    Universal basic income is seen as a way to reduce poverty and inequality Thinkstock

    Universal basic income is seen as a way to reduce poverty and inequality

    The concept of a universal basic income is of "interest" to the Scottish government as one potential option to reducing poverty and inequality.

    Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman said she was "watching" the impact of pilots in Finland, Holland and Canada.

    She also expressed interest in proposed pilot schemes in Glasgow and Fife.

    A universal basic income offers all adults a non-conditional flat-rate payment. Models have varied, but in some any income they earn over this is subject to progressive rates of tax.

    Ms Freeman told BBC Scotland that a universal income was worth considering but more evidence was needed to determine how effective it was.

  7. The Social Security Committee begins shortly

    MSPs take evidence on the Citizen's IncomePA

    MSPs take evidence on the Citizen's Income

    The Social Security Committee will take evidence on the Citizen's Income from: 

    • Professor Donald Hirsch the director of the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University
    • Siobhan Mathers from Reform Scotland;
    • Annie Miller from the Citizen’s Basic Income Network in Scotland
    • Landman Economics director Howard Reed  
    • RSA director Anthony Painter

  8. Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live

    Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live's coverage of the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 9 March 2017.

    First up this morning the Social Security Committee will take evidence on the Citizen's Income.

    John Swinney stands in for Nicola Sturgeon from noon.PA

    John Swinney stands in for Nicola Sturgeon from noon.

    After general questions, we’ll bring you extensive coverage of first minister’s questions, although today it is expected to be deputy first minister's questions as John Swinney steps in for Nicola Sturgeon.

    The lunchtime member’s debate focuses on community jobs in Scotland.

    The afternoon session begins with MSPs debating the Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order 2017.

    There will then be a brief debate on biodiversity.