Have British Governments thought of introducing basic income schemes?
In 1972 the Government of Edward Heath put forward detailed proposals for a tax-credit scheme. It would have replaced most income tax allowances and some social security benefits with tax credits payable in cash where they exceeded tax liability. These tax credits resembled a Citizen’s Income in some ways but did not cover the whole of the population. In 1979 child benefit which is a Citizen’s Income for children in all but name was introduced.
