Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect of the increase in the number automated jobs on the potential merits of introducing a universal basic income.

As set out in the Industrial Strategy White Paper, this Government is determined that everyone should benefit from the changes that new technologies will continue to bring. What we have seen throughout history is that technological change has delivered more jobs, and we now have record employment. There may be challenging transitions to make for some as work changes, but the future lies in support that promotes work and is increasingly tailored to the needs of the individual, not a single payment for everyone.

The Government has not made an assessment of the impact of the increase in automation. However we believe that Universal Credit is the right approach for a changing economy, because it simplifies the benefit system, targets resources according to need, and pays people flexibly as their working circumstances change, and ensures that work always pays.