Weekly Briefing: Universal basic income; flying cars; paid holiday

Top Stories

These 10 governments are leading the world in behavioural insights. From Singapore to Denmark, countries have been using behavioural science to influence citizens since at least the 1960s. A new report sheds light on how governments are using nudges, and which are most effective. (Apolitical)

Mass extinction is on the horizon. Is universal basic income the answer? Trials show that basic income can bolster well-being, educational attainment and entrepreneurship. But more importantly, it could also break the link between work and consumption — which is key to curbing climate change. (Mark Maslin and Simon Lewis, University College London)

Have your say in the Public Service Workplace Awards. Have you heard of an initiative which is making the public service a great place to work? Nominate it for our new awards that recognise innovative schemes and teams making the public service more inclusive, healthy and happy. (Apolitical)

Paid holiday: privilege or public health priority? While Europeans often get paid sick leave and 20-30 days of paid holiday a year, US workers have no statutory rights to paid holiday. Yet research shows that a national vacation policy can have stark health benefits. (Apolitical)

Flying cars are coming to the Japanese countryside. New technologies, from compact electric motors to sensor-driven control systems, are finally making the futuristic concept possible. Japan is hoping the cars will boost tourism and reinforce relief services during natural disasters. (Apolitical)

Health and Ageing

A small Minnesota town beat the opioid epidemic by treating addiction like a disease, not a crime. Little Falls poured $1.4 million into basic public health measures: it limited prescription refills, improved access to addiction medications and put users in treatment programs, instead of jail. (Buzzfeed)

From next year, all adults in the UK will be considered organ donors unless they opt out. Countries with presumed consent have much higher donation rates than those with opt-in systems: in Spain, one of the first countries to adopt such a law, there are twice as many organ transplants as there are in Britain. (BBC)

Governance and Citizen Engagement

In Switzerland, representatives take turns being president. Seven members of a federal council rotate one-year tenures as president, which helps to keep power in check. This way, “it doesn’t go to anyone’s head”, said the Federal Chancellor. (World Economic Forum)

In a US first, Oregon enacted statewide rent control. It will limit rent increases to 7% annually plus inflation, in an effort to address the state’s growing housing crisis. Median rent has risen by more than 14% across the state in recent years — in Portland, it’s up by 30% since 2011. (Oregon Live)

Gender Equality

Sex education in England will now cover LGBTQ issues. In the first revision of the curriculum since 2000, schools will soon teach students about gay and trans relationships — as well as sexual assault, mental health, porn, periods, genital cutting, forced marriage and sexting. (The New York Times)

A Scottish municipality will be the first in Europe to offer additional leave to victims of domestic abuse. South Ayrshire Council’s safe leave policy will give employees 10 days of paid leave to get the help they need. It was inspired by a similar bill in New Zealand. (LocalGov)

And finally

When a family in Ahlen, Germany couldn’t pay its debts, city collectors seized their prized pet pug. They sold the dog, Edda, on eBay for about $850. There was outcry from animal rights activists — but the city insisted it was “a pragmatic solution”. (Euronews)

(Picture credit: Pexels)