UK Government Explores Universal Basic Income for AI-Affected Workers
The United Kingdom's investment minister, Lord Jason Stockwood, has disclosed that the government is actively considering measures to support workers whose jobs may be threatened by artificial intelligence. In a significant revelation, the minister confirmed that introducing a universal basic income scheme is among the options being examined to cushion the impact of AI-led workforce disruptions.
Minister's Vision for AI Transition Support
During an exclusive interview with the Financial Times, Lord Stockwood emphasized the need for proactive measures as artificial intelligence transforms employment landscapes. "Undoubtedly we're going to have to think really carefully about how we soft-land those industries that go away," he stated, highlighting the potential for "bumpy" changes to society caused by rapid AI adoption.
The minister, who joined the government in September 2025 following a successful technology career, elaborated on his proposed approach: "Some sort of UBI, some sort of life-long learning mechanism as well, so people can retrain." He stressed that there would need to be "some sort of concessionary arrangement with jobs that go immediately" as AI implementation accelerates across various sectors.
Growing Political Consensus on AI Workforce Impact
Stockwood's comments align with increasing concerns expressed by other UK political leaders about artificial intelligence's effect on employment. London mayor Sadiq Khan has recently warned about a potential "new era of mass unemployment" driven by AI technologies, while UK technology secretary Liz Kendall acknowledged that "some jobs will go" due to automation, particularly entry-level positions in finance and legal professions.
Kendall maintained an optimistic yet cautious perspective, noting: "More jobs will be created than will go, but I'm not complacent about that." She assured that the government would actively support adaptation efforts, declaring: "We will not leave individuals and communities to cope on their own."
Industry Warnings and Proposed Funding Mechanisms
The minister's statements follow recent warnings from AI industry leaders about potential workforce disruptions. Dario Amodei, CEO of prominent AI startup Anthropic, cautioned about "unusually painful" disruption to job markets, describing artificial intelligence as a "general labour substitute for humans."
Lord Stockwood has previously suggested innovative funding approaches for universal basic income programs, proposing that technology companies could pay a windfall levy to finance support payments. He expressed concern about potential inequality, stating: "I think of the productivity gains and the wealth that AI can create, but we also need to think of the more pernicious and near-term danger that it just embeds inequality and makes a small cohort of wealthy elites even wealthier because they control the capital and the technologies."
Current Status and Government Dialogue
While universal basic income has not yet become official UK government policy, Stockwood confirmed that discussions are actively underway. When questioned about whether other government colleagues shared his concerns about AI's workforce impact, he responded: "People are definitely talking about it."
The minister revealed that one of his primary motivations for accepting the investment minister role was to ensure proper preparation for societal and workforce changes driven by technological advancement. He succeeded Poppy Gustafsson, the former Darktrace CEO who resigned after less than a year in the position.
As artificial intelligence continues to transform global economies, the UK government's consideration of universal basic income represents a significant development in addressing the complex challenges of workforce transition, retraining needs, and economic security in an increasingly automated world.
