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There could come a time when Britons won't need to work - they'll be paid to do nothing.

And experts have said the system could be used to reduce poverty and encourage healthier lifestyles.

The Universal Basic Income (UBI) is an economic system in which every citizen is paid the same amount of money by the government regardless of whether or not they are in paid work.

Proponents say it's a solution to a broken welfare system that ensures no one who may not be able to work is left behind, the Daily Star reports.

The concept dates back to the 16th century but has gained popularity in recent years after high-profile trials in Scandinavia seemed to produce promising results.

(Image: PA)

Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and the SNP have all supported trying out the UBI in Britain.

Some economists are also on board with the idea, even if it means not as many people have jobs.

The UK's employment rate is currently at a record high, with about 75 per cent of the working age population currently in work.

Dr Steve Davies, head of education at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), says fewer people in the workforce would be a good thing for the country.

Because so many of us are working, we have less time to engage in the unpaid labour of domestic chores, childcare and gardening that "underpins the monetised exchange economy", he said.

"We are close to total employment now, where every adult that can work is working. Economists see this as an unmitigated good. I think that is clearly incorrect.

"I think we actually have too large a proportion of our adult population in paid work - this is mainly because of the high cost of housing and other essentials - so I actually welcome a reduction in that."

Dr Davies says the optimum level of employment among adults in the UK is about 55 per cent to 60 per cent.

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He's not opposed to the UBI, although he says it would have to pass some rigorous standards to have a chance of working, as it would need to adequately replace the entire benefits system as it currently exists.

The payments would also need to be high enough to cover the average Briton's basic needs, but low enough not to encourage too much of the population to stop work altogether.

"The sweet spot is to make it a subsistence income, that you can survive on but no more, but that is hard to calculate, not least because of significant local variations."

Hull Council recently applied to trial the UBI but those plans were rejected by the government- but that doesn't mean other cities won't get to try it.

'UBI Labs', think-tanks exploring the potential for UBI, have been set up around the country to identify good candidates for trials.

Sam Gregory, chair of UBI Lab Sheffield, told Daily Star Online that all recent modelling has shown the UBI would "dramatically" reduce inequality and poverty.

"But no-one can know for sure without testing it out, which is why we want to see pilots launched in the UK," he said.