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Unison, the West Midlands’ largest public sector trade union, recently published a 20-point manifesto declaring what they see as the key priorities for the new Mayor of the West Midlands. Goals included developing a proper democratic system to hold the mayor to account, a programme of building green council houses and free public transport for 16 to 19-year-old students - all vital things that I fully support.



But the most eye-catching policy was a call to pilot a ‘Universal Basic Income’ (UBI) scheme in the West Midlands – an idea that is gaining support all over the world.



For decades, many towns and cities in our region have been left behind as government after government has focused on attracting big businesses and bowing to large banks, instead of building up a modern, home-grown economy centred on areas of high demand where we have unique strengths, like low-carbon manufacturing.





As a result, millions of people are one missed pay cheque away from disaster. Too many jobs these days are short-term and insecure, without guaranteed hours or very low wage self-employment.



Now is the time to consider new ideas. In the Green Party, we’ve been calling for universal basic income trials for decades.



The real advantage of a UBI is that it offers financial security to families. It could unleash a wave of innovation and creativity as people are free to be entrepreneurial and start up businesses without running the risk of losing everything.





Not only that, but it removes insecurity for workers as well – if you’re a parent with three kids and a mortgage, the idea of working for a brand new startup might be too much of a gamble. But, if you know you have a basic income as a safety net, you can throw yourself into your work without needing to worry.



Government economic plans for the recent past have left huge parts of the Black Country and pockets of Birmingham and Coventry struggling. Unless we change the plans, we'll just see the situation get worse. UBI is one example of how we can do things differently and create a more resilient economy that doesn't leave anyone behind.



Voting for the same old parties will just lead to the same old policies. As mayor I will be a champion for the majority of Midlanders who have been left sidelined by unfair and uneven economic development, and tirelessly challenge central government to provide the investment our communities really need.