Some people in Wales will be given almost £20,000 a year for two years as part of a trial of a basic income in Wales.
The move follows First Minister Mark Drakeford’s pledge after the Senedd elections last year to launch a pilot scheme.
The Welsh Government has now outlined how that pilot will work. It will be targeted at young people leaving care and ministers say it “will enhance the support available to young people as they leave care and assess the impact that has on them”.
What does the pilot involve?
The pilot will run for a minimum of three years with each member of the cohort receiving a basic income payment of £1,600 per month for a duration of 24 months from the month after their 18th birthday.
Who is eligible?
All young people leaving care who turn 18 during a 12-month period, across all local authority areas, will be offered the opportunity to take part in the pilot. The pilot will begin during the next financial year and the Welsh Government anticipates over 500 young people will be eligible to join.
How much will it cost?
Ministers have allocated £24.5m to the delivery of this pilot over the course of four years.
Read more: Some people in Wales will get almost £20,000 a year as part of a basic income trial
