Discussion around universal basic income – an unconditional cash payment given to all citizens regardless of wealth – has been framed in the context of the increasing automation of work.
But it's the global pandemic that has shown the feasibility of a basic income approach.
OUBS Academic Dr Charles Barthold explains what a basic income is, why the circumstances are right to test it now and why business should be involved in the debate.
Charles is a Senior Lecturer at The Open University Business School and a member of the Research into Employment, Empowerment and Futures (REEF) academic centre of excellence.
The Research into Employment, Empowerment and Futures group (REEF) is proud to be partnering with The People Space. This article was originally published on The People Space website; click to read the original article.

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 - 09:00 to 17:00
Michael Young Building, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6BB
This one-day symposium on ‘Doing Academia Differently’ will provide inspiration and support for PhD and early-career academics to approach the complex tensions and dilemmas of contemporary academia in new and creative ways.
Thursday, March 12, 2026 - 11:00 to 12:30
Online Webinar - link below
This webinar from our GOP research cluster will discuss findings from research into how motherhood impacts employment for ethnic minority women.