ABSTRACT
Balance Income (BI) 2000 contains a hidden cost by comparison with Basic Income Guarantee (BIG) 1. The BIG 1 basic incomes were costed assuming a 5 percent benefit up rating in November 1985, which produced a significant expenditure saving over the year as a whole, but was in line with practice at that time. BI 2000 is completely neutral between men and women, married and single. BI 2000 is neither a socialist nor a libertarian dream, it is a compromise. The BI 2000 programme is costed using the same rates of BI throughout the financial year 2000– 2001, which makes it more expensive in accounting terms, but is in line with practice. The structure of BI 2000 leaves ample scope for individuals, local communities, trade unions and employers to build on the basic provision using their own initiatives.
