It has been revealed that plans are being made for the first trial of Universal Basic Income payments in England.
The no obligation payments will mark the first ever trial of Universal Basic Income here in the UK.
UK think tank Autonomy is seeking financial backing for a two-year pilot programme that would pay individuals a set monthly salary of £1,600 – a figure roughly in line with the living wage – regardless of their means.
The no-obligation payments will be paid to around thirty participants in north-east England and north London, with anyone living in the areas able to put themselves forward.
Following the success of the furlough scheme in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic calls for the adoption of Universal Basic Income schemes have picked up serious momentum.
Scottish Liberal Democrat politician Christine Jardine previously commented that the pandemic “has meant that we’ve seen the suggestion of a universal basic income in a completely different light”.
Autonomy said it hopes its proposed pilot will “make the case for a national basic income and more comprehensive trials to fully understand the potential of a basic income in the UK”.
“No one should ever be facing poverty, having to choose between heating and eating, in one of the wealthiest countries in the world,” said Cleo Goodman, co-founder of Basic Income Conversation, a programme run by the work-focused think tank.
Image: Unsplash
Will Stronge, director of research at Autonomy, said: “All the evidence shows that [a UBI] would directly alleviate poverty and boost millions of people’s wellbeing: the potential benefits are just too large to ignore.”
Participants can either elect to apply or they will be drawn at random, with people able to remain anonymous throughout.
The organisers have also planned for the trial to use a representative group, made up of 20% of people with disabilities.
Two years of community consultation has taken place in the area where the trial will be held in the lead up to its launch.
Universal Basic Income is not a new concept and trials have already been run successfully in other parts of the world.
Closest to home, a trial currently taking place in Wales means that 500 care leavers are now being given £1,600 a month as part of a £20m experiment.
Elsewhere, Iran saw a huge reduction of poverty and inequality in 2010, without people leaving the labour market, after giving citizens transfers of 29% of the median income each month. The country found that people used the extra money to invest in their businesses which led to the growth of small enterprises.
However, some critics of the concept in the UK say it could be extremely costly, divert funding away from public services, and might not help to alleviate poverty.
The big Five Guys site on Duncan Street by The Corn Exchange has been empty for quite some time now, after the chain moved into a new premises on the top floor of Trinity Shopping Centre.
But now, a new burger joint is taking its place.
Urban Fresh Burger was born back in 2017 over in Doncaster and has since built a cult following across Yorkshire, opening a total of five sites.
Their selling point is offering a 'healthier' style of burger using fresh and local ingredients, all of which are fully customisable and made to order.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
But don't just take our word for it, here's how Urban Fresh Burger describe themselves: "A healthier choice with flawless flavour, our signature smashed burgers and hand-cut fresh fries keep customers coming back.
"Our secret sauce? Choosing only the freshest, best quality ingredients from local suppliers. It’s a commitment we’ve held true to since day one, and one we’ll never compromise on."
So, what can you expect to see on the menu? Of course - burgers. We're talking beef burgers, chicken burgers and veggie burgers that come with free unlimited toppings so you can stack yours to your heart's desire.
Choose from a huge list such as lettuce, jalapenos, tomato, coleslaw, onion, grilled mushrooms - the list really does go.
Elsewhere on the menu you'll find chicken tenders, boneless wings, mozzarella sticks and milkshakes.
Pretty much, they're bringing everything you're craving on your next cheat day to Duncan Street, and we're sure it's going to go down a storm. We'll keep you updated with an opening date as and when we find out.
Find out more about what to expect from Urban Fresh Burger here.
Converted manor house in West Yorkshire awarded coveted Michelin Key
Clementine Hall
A beautiful hotel in West Yorkshire has been awarded a Michelin Key.
What is a Michelin Key I hear you ask? It's basically the equivalent of a Michelin Star but for hotels, so it's quite a big deal indeed.
The Michelin Guide's hotel section added 18 keys to its list this year across the UK and Ireland, and one of them was the Manor House Lindley over in Huddersfield.
The former Georgian manor house is nothing short of stunning, having been converted into an 11-bedroom venue by a hotelier who used to be a designer.
But don't just take our word for it, here's what the Michelin guide had to say: "Here in Huddersfield a manor house hotel is an uncommon sight; Manor House Lindley, however, is the real deal, an authentic Georgian house rescued by an ambitious designer-turned-hotelier and transformed into one of West Yorkshire’s most unique hotels.
"With just 11 bedrooms it’s not extraordinarily large, and thanks to its situation it’s a semi-urban refuge rather than a country-style getaway. All the same, it’s as private as a manor house should be, and its interiors mix classic correctness with an eclectic modern influence to create a space that’s anything but ordinary.
"Its public spaces attract not just overnight guests but locals as well, who gather for dinner, for afternoon tea, or for a drink in one of three in-house bars."
It's an amazing achievement, as the Manor House is now only one of three hotels in Yorkshire to own a Michelin Key. The others being Grantley Hall in Ripon and The Grand over in York.
You can have a proper nosey and find out more about the Manor House Lindley here.
Georgina Pellant -
5th June 2023 
