A NEW grassroots campaign group has set out a radical draft 10-point plan for Labour to expand “NHS-style” free-at-the-point-of-use principle to more services including buses and utilities. 

The Labour Campaign for Universal Basic Services (UBS) launched a draft plan for a future Labour government on Saturday, setting out the 10 pillars of UBS, which could be enshrined as new legal entitlements in a British Bill of Rights. 

Some of the proposals, such as those on childcare, tuition fees and social care were included in Labour’s 2019 manifesto and the document calls on the party to maintain the controversial commitment to free fibre broadband for all. 

Bold new spending commitments in the plan include expanding free bus travel to all ages at a cost of £5 billion per annum, a new national food service estimated at £4bn a year and a £22bn plan to abolish water and energy bills for most households. 

The document is designed as a public consultation and members are encouraged to offer feedback before a final version is published in early 2021 with a view to a motion being presented to party conference next year.

Founder and co-chair of the campaign Councillor Nathan Griffiths said: “UBS has the potential to end homelessness, lift millions out of poverty and put the nation on a path to a prosperous post-Covid recovery. 

“Reverting to business as usual will not cut it. If Labour is serious about transforming the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable in our nation, then it must commit to bold and ambitious plans that put people at the heart of policy.”