The current social security system is unwieldy, complex, unjust and unfit for purpose. If we were designing a system now from scratch for the 21st century, we would not end up with our present system. It is a Gordian Knot that cannot be unravelled or reformed. It must be cut through and replaced by a system fit for the 21st century. Basic Income is just such a system. It redefines the relationship between the state, society and the individual. This innovative book provides a new perspective on Basic Income - a regular, unconditional payment to every citizen resident in the country. This comprehensive book has been rigorously researched and thus will appeal to academics and policy-makers, as well as to the general reader who is concerned about the current state of social security in the UK. Find out how Basic Income can make a difference to your life.
About the Author: Annie Miller spent the major part of her working life in the Department of Economics at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh teaching mainly business economics, econometrics, mathematics and statistics for economists. In 1991, with her colleague Douglas Mair, she co-edited a book comparing different schools of economic thought in the late 20th century (Mair et al, 1991).
In 1984, Annie was a co-founder of the Basic Income Research Group (BIRG), which changed its name in 1993 to the Citizen's Income Trust (CIT). She has been a trustee since 1989 and is currently its Chair. She contributes regularly to its Citizen's Income Newsletter. She gives talks to groups around the UK, and has presented papers on BI at conferences here in the UK, on the continent and in North America.
In January 2014, her local MSP, Jim Eadie, hosted a seminar and round-table discussion on 'Beyond Welfare Reform to a Citizen's Income' at the Scottish Parliament, at which Annie and the late Professor Ailsa McKay were keynote speakers. In her personal capacity, she presented written evidence to the Scottish Parliament's Expert Working Group on Welfare (2013) and to the Smith Commission (2014). Since politics in Scotland is now different from elsewhere in the UK, her fellow trustees at CIT encouraged her to set up a sister organisation in Scotland, the Citizen's Basic Income Network Scotland.
Annie became a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in 1978. Her faith, her belief in 'that of God in everyone', and her commitment to the Quaker testimonies (values) of peace, equality, integrity and simplicity inspire all her work.
