NATIONAL Treasury says that it is still considering proposals around a universal basic income grant for South Africa, but it maintains that it cannot be done in a fiscally irresponsible way.
In the 2021 Mid-Term Budget Policy Speech, finance minister Enoch Godongwana said that, in view of the Covid‐19 related job losses, increasing poverty and inequality, Treasury and the government should seriously consider a basic income grant after the necessary consultations with relevant stakeholders.
These consultations were expected to yield some results by the time of the 2022 budget.
However, Treasury said that it still doesn’t have an answer on the BIG just yet.
“The Covid‐19 pandemic increased national debate on the possibility of a universal basic income grant, and the government is considering various proposals in this regard,” it said.
“Any proposals to expand this system need to be fully and appropriately financed by closing existing programmes to free
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