Introduction

Support for the idea of a Basic Income (referred to henceforth as BI) paid to every eligible adult and child is gaining traction across the developed world, though it remains a controversial and largely untested proposal. It can be defined as ‘an income paid by a political community to all its members on an individual basis, without means test or work requirement’ (van Parijs, 2004, p.8). Such a BI would likely have significant implications for all socially valuable activities including those without direct economic benefit, and caring is one such activity.

This section of the book considers ways in which societies might aim to do things differently in the future. While not a new idea per se, BI as a policy proposal can be said to be one of the few truly radical shake-ups to welfare systems currently being mooted by actors across the political spectrum (Reed and Lansley, 2016). The proposal to introduce BI is, in part, a response to concerns about incoming technological changes, which may lead to revolutionary shifts in how we organise work, including care work, in our societies in coming decades. This could involve a rethink of how we support parents and other carers.

BI would replace many existing benefits, covering many income risks across the life course, similar to a state pension but not just post-retirement. By covering such needs for all members of a society, BI would potentially address income risks associated with disability, joblessness, parenting, childhood, illness and education. This abolishing of the status quo, which typically targets those considered to be in particular need at a specific point in their life, potentially raises some alarm bells, as it is possible that some vulnerable groups might be worse off if current benefits (for example, such as housing subsidies) are phased out. Furthermore, welfare benefits, including parenting leave policies, are frequently multi-dimensional in the way that they support citizens, going beyond financial provision and thus what a BI might offer.

This chapter explores to what extent a BI might be able to replace parenting leave payments and other aspects of parenting leave policies; the term ‘parenting leave’, as used here, covers all leave for parents, including Maternity Leave, Paternity Leave and Parental Leave.