We would like to get your thoughts on the proposal of a Universal Basic Income (UBI) in the United Kingdom, that would be available to all, without means testing or qualifying factors.

Put simply, UBI is an income that would be paid to every citizen for life that would allow them to live without 'having' to work or worry about paying bills. Unlike state benefits that are means tested, and do not provide a comfortable means to live, UBI would allow people to live without worrying about basic bills and the 'need' to work.

Everyone would receive UBI, and their employment would add to their existing income meaning those who choose to work will earn more if they want to.

​This would have a positive effect for those with factors affecting their ability to work, such as disability, lack of skills, single parents etc by removing the 'need' to find a job and being held back or at a disadvantage if they can not.

In the current climate of advancing technology and AI playing a bigger role in society and the workplace, many existing job roles are under threat from the gradual shift of societal improvement in technology and the benefits it brings.

Many citizens would have more free time if they could rely-on or supplement their income with UBI. Charities and community organizations could potentially benefit from those within the community being able to commit their time to causes they care about without worrying about their income being affected.

Parents could work part-time and spend more time with their children and family to enrich their development.

Local businesses could potentially benefit from a greater footfall of citizens throughout the week, being able to visit and spend money when normally at work and not having disposable income to spend.

Ultimately through taxes, and bigger taxes on companies operating within the UK. But if companies are taxed more, and employees are receiving UBI, they could pay lower wages.

Please let us know your thoughts on the proposal for UBI by using the form below and we will pass this onto the relevant parties for discussion.

The Second Bite Academy trainees under the guidance of Chef Jenny, have cooked up 1,055 community meals in just ONE MONTH!

As part of their training, they have been hard at work in the kitchen creating delicious and nutritious meals for Chirton and Riverside and Whitley Bay residents.

A big THANK YOU to Whitley Bay Big Local who are funding some of the meals and to their volunteers who are kindly delivering them throughout Whitley Bay.
 
These have also been possible thanks to food donations from FareShare as well as other donations received by The Giving Evolution at the Cedarwood Trust; including the recent 'Tin on a wall campaign' whereby already 20 kg of food, with FareShare donations too, was able to create 100 meals!
 
Incredible work, and we look forward to seeing how many more meals the brilliant Second Bite Academy can create in the coming months thanks to the trainees, chefs, volunteers and donors.

Would you like to start a new career? Passionate about cooking?

A collaboration between Second Bite CIC and The Cedarwood Trust, Second Bite Catering Academy provides an opportunity for students from any background to learn real skills in the kitchen that lead to employment.

The Second Bite Catering Academy consists of training and education opportunities for students based at the Second Bite Bistro in Whitley Bay and volunteering opportunities based at the Cedarwood Trust Café in North Shields.

You will work alongside and under the guidance of professional chefs 16 hours per week, for 6 weeks, learning real skills that lead to real catering employment.

Providing internal and external catering provisions, a place to produce great food and opportunity. The programme is designed to offer precious opportunities to those who need a helping hand up – military veterans, single parents, NEET’s, people in recovery, people with complex needs, ex-offenders, and the long-term unemployed.

Each participant is given full basic training and ongoing support in basic catering & hospitality and general employment skills, with a further tiered development programme, which also offers employment opportunities through a host of different vehicles.

We also offer, uniquely – ongoing support with participant personal issues throughout.

To find out more and talk to us about joining the Second Bite Catering Academy, please get in touch via info@cedarwoodtrust.co.uk or call us on 0191 259 0245.