Yes I was told about the universal income some years ago as part of a course on digitisation and automation and the effects on employment for the next generation.Means testing always seems to be one of those things that makes complete sense but then you inevitably find huge loopholes, and the whole cost of administering the scheme ends up costing a large chunk of the money you avoid paying out.
As people get older they supposedly get more conservative. I'm getting more and more in favour of a universal basic income.
We have not yet reached the high level of automation that renders many redundant, but the concept of a universal income with no form of benefits system to administer does have many benefits and reduces wasted money on bureaucracy. This would only work when coupled with substantial levels of taxation put simply if you earn more you pay more but crucially you will never be worse off for working, and that kind of incentive may restore faith in the system.
Think on savings if we did not have to administer all forms of benefit for example