Tracking UBIG benefits: differences in developmental outcomes

Abstract

What impact would a universal basic income grant have on South Africa's economy, and to what extent would it improve living standards? Debates on the potential developmental impact of a universal basic income grant (UBIG) often focus on these questions. The third UBIG webinar hosted by the HSRC, the Institute for Economic Justice and the Pay the Grants movement concentrated on the real or potential differences this type of grant could make to poverty, inequality, and unemployment. in response to the COVID-19 socioeconomic crisis, many countries strengthened their social protection measures, often expanding the type of assistance that quickly reaches poor and vulnerable people in socioeconomic distress. Innovative social relief programmes, such as a universal basic income guarantee (UBIG), have also been considered or introduced in some countries. The South African authorities followed this global trend with its own safety net variants such as the social relief of distress (SRD) grant and targeted food assistance programmes. Invariably, the main motivation for these social assistance schemes was to make a visible and long-term positive difference to developmental outcomes for destitute individuals and families.