Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip has praised the progress and
uptake of the Basic Income pilot scheme after meeting care
leavers taking part in the innovative programme.
The Basic Income for Care Leavers in Wales pilot provided care
leavers turning 18 between 01 July 2022 and 30 June 2023 with the
opportunity to receive £1,600 (before tax) per month for a period
of two years.
During the 12-month enrolment period, which ended on 30 June this
year, 635 young people leaving care in Wales joined the pilot.
The provisional uptake rate of 97% represents a significantly
high take-up of this ground-breaking scheme. This is a higher
take-up rate than that of other opt-in basic income schemes
worldwide, reflecting the generous and innovative offer to this
group of young people.
A multi-faceted evaluation of the pilot scheme is now underway,
where it will consider how the pilot has been implemented, what
the effects of it have been and what the costs of it have been.
Following careful analysis of these aspects, there are plans for
a series of thematic reports to be published over the course of
the four-year research programme.
It is expected to be several years before the evaluation will be
completed.
This is due to the fact the research plan will track the impact
of the pilot on their lives now, as well as the next few years as
they continue into adulthood.
Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip , who attended a basic
income pilot scheme event at the Future Inn in Cardiff on
Wednesday (October 25), along with the First
Minister and Deputy Minister for Social
Services, said the early feedback from speaking to those
taking part in the pilot scheme was positive, but it would take
years for the impact and outcomes on the cohort to be fully
assessed.
“We have heard fantastic feedback so far from those enrolled and
are delighted with the record-breaking uptake, but we are still
at the early stages of the pilot scheme and it will take years
for the true impact on their lives to be assessed,” she said.
“It has been a pleasure to meet many people who have benefitted
from the Basic Income for care leavers in Wales pilot scheme
today and hear from them the differences the payments are making
to their lives now and their future plans.
“We are now focusing our efforts on supporting young people with
their transition off the pilot and learning about the affect it
has had on their lives.”
Deputy Minister for Social Services , speaking at the
event taking place during Care Leavers Week,
said: “The Welsh Government is committed to supporting care
leavers as they make the difficult transition into adulthood.
“We understand it will take time to see the impact the pilot
scheme will have had on those on it, but we are optimistic we
will see the positive differences it has made to their lives and
the opportunities it has presented to them that they would
otherwise not have been able to enjoy.”
Notes to editors
Pic Caption: Care leavers on the Basic Income
pilot scheme with First Minister , Minister for Social Justice
and Chief Whip , Deputy Minister for Social
Services and Professor Michael Marmot
- The Welsh Government has commissioned a multidisciplinary
team of world experts in basic income, complex evaluations,
social care and social security interventions, led by CASCADE at
Cardiff University.
- This expert team will assess how the pilot was experienced
and delivered, as well as the costs and benefits to wider
society.
- The Welsh Government intend to publish the first report of
the evaluation series in early 2024.
- This report will have a focus on the implementation period to
date and will draw upon the attitudes of professionals involved
in the pilot’s delivery.
