top of page

Universal Basic Services: Provisioning for our needs within a fair consumption space

2023

This think piece explores how investment in UBS will yield substantial benefits in terms of equity, efficiency, solidarity and sustainability.

Hot or Cool Institute

Anna Coote

A Social Guarantee to Meet Everyone’s Needs
within Environmental Limits

2022

The Social Guarantee offers a principled framework to address three interlinked crises that are all rooted in a failed economic system: soaring living costs, widening inequalities and the climate emergency.

Political Quarterly

Anna Coote

The case for a Social Guarantee: Universal access to life’s essentials

2022

As Britain’s economy and society gradually reopen and we begin to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, we face big questions about what should come next. 

Heinrich Boell Stiftung

Anna Coote

A Social Guarantee

2021

As Britain gradually reopens and we begin to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, we face big questions about what should come next. 

New Economics Foundation

Daniel Button, Anna Coote

1.5-Degree Lifestyles: Towards a Fair Consumption Space for All

2021

In a world with a fast-shrinking global carbon budget, coupled with vast inequalities, how do we allocate the remaining carbon allowance fairly?

Hot or Cool Institute

Lewis Akenji, Magnus Bengtsson, Viivi Toivio, Michael Lettenmeier, Tina Fawcett, Yael Parag, Yamina Saheb, Anna Coote, Joachim H. Spangenberg, Stuart Capstick, Tim Gore, Luca Coscieme, Mathis Wackernagel, Dario Kenner

UBS and sustainable consumption

2021

This Policy brief explores the contribution that public services can make to reducing consumption across society.

Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy

Anna Coote

Universal Quality Public Services

2021

This report on Universal Quality Public Services helps unions build strong arguments for extended public services as the bedrock for the Covid-19 recovery.

Public Services International

Anna Coote

Revitalising Local Communities

2021

This paper proposes placing the meeting of needs at the centre of all economic activity in order to revitalise communities in a way that enables a low-carbon, gender equal future.

Womens Budget Group

Maeve Cohen

UBS: Building our Social Infrastructure

2020

A short background paper laying out the case for Universal Basic Services and the way in which they should be implemented in the UK.

Prime Economics

Anna Coote

UBS and the Foundational Economy

2020

This working paper published explores the synergies between Universal Basic Services and the Foundational Economy

Foundational Economy

Anna Coote

Universal Basic Services: Theory and Practice

2019

In this report, the Institute for Global Prosperity (IGP) continues to lead the effort to promote a more socially orientated vision of the future through Universal Basic Services.

Institute for Global Prosperity

Anna Coote, Pritika Kasliwal and Andrew Percy

UBS: A Theoretical and Moral Framework

2019

This article provides a theoretical justification for extending the delivery of public services, as an alternative to the longer-standing argument for Universal Basic Income (UBI).

London School of Economics

Ian Gough

NEW SERIES

Our new series, the Social Guarantee Discussion Papers will explore different concepts within the Social Guarantee in detail. Our aim is to stimulate discussion and debate around the aims and principles of a system designed around meeting people's needs.

Social Guarantee Discussion Papers

How do we pay for it?

Research Fellow Isaac Stanley looks first at claims that the UK is too broke to pay for more and better public services, and summarises briefly how costs have been estimated so far. He then sets out possible sources of funding, as identified by a range of experts.

DISCUSSION PAPER

Energy

In response to the Energy Crisis, Maeve Cohen puts forward proposals for a Social Guarantee for Energy. She argues for a universal basic energy allowance, a special tariff for public services and collectively owned energy generators, transmission networks and retail suppliers.

DISCUSSION PAPER

Ownership

A fundamental factor contributing to the inequalities in our economy is who owns what. Maeve Cohen explores what ownership models are best suited for ensuring that everyone has a meaningful say in the design and delivery of the services they depend on.

DISCUSSION PAPER

Universalism

Anna Coote considers what we mean by 'universal services'. The need for life’s essentials is universal, but how such needs are met varies widely between locations, cultures and generations. This paper examines the implications for delivering the Social Guarantee.

DISCUSSION PAPER

We frequently write reports and publications for like minded organisations and partners such as the New Economics Foundation, Heinrich Boll Foundation and The Foundational Economy Collective.

Publications with Partners

bottom of page