The Basic Income Grant (BIG) Coalition yesterday said it welcomed the open invitation issued by Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, on radio station SAFM, to nongovernmental organisations to discuss the possibilities of the extension of social grants.

The BIG claimed that the Minister’s invitation to discuss these ideas supports the call for a social contract, which encourages cooperation and partnership between all sectors of society, and is also in line with a renewed sense of vigour in the ongoing process of engagement between the government and its social partners, as borne out in the Growth and Development Summit in 2003.

Towards the end of last year, the coalition reportedly completed a thorough study into the financing and affordability of a universal basic income grant.

The findings of this work were presented to a number of government departments, including the National Treasury. However, the coalition said that it has yet to receive a response from the government regarding its detailed findings on the basic income grant’s fiscal sustainability, cost-effective and efficient administration and positive social outcome.

The coalition stated that it is, however, encouraged that Manuel has recognised the need to engage with the coalition.

The coalition also maintained that it has been involved with ongoing discussions with government regarding the ability of a BIG to address immediate effects of poverty in a developmental way, which further supports the initiatives aimed at creating sustainable livelihoods, growing the economy and creating jobs.

In turn, the coalition said that it would be seek a meeting directly with the Minister to discuss its position on a BIG, as well as the findings of the research.