29/01/2017 BBC Wales Today

Good evening.

Introducing a Universal Basic Income in Wales would be a "worrying

and extremely expensive socialist experiment", a leading

economist has warned.

Earlier this month, the Finance Secretary

said the idea of paying

every citizen an unconditional sum of money was "attractive"

and could help tackle poverty and inequality.

But Professor Patrick Minford told Sunday Politics Wales

the scheme "isn't workable".

More from our political reporter, Cemlyn Davies.

Should every single citizen receive an automatic basic income

to spend however they want, no strings attached?

It isn't a new question.

Philosophers have debated it for centuries.

But the policy does have fresh support from the left and the right,

and here in Wales, the Finance Secretary recently

described the idea as attractive.

It's an idea with considerable roots in our social policy.

Always struggled to manage to find a practical way

of taking it forward.

But there is an opportunity for us in Wales to watch

what is being attempted elsewhere.

It isn't clear if or how the Welsh government could introduce

a universal basic income, but Mark Drakeford says he will keep

an eye on developments in Scotland, where there are efforts to launch

pilot schemes in Glasgow and Fife.

The initiative has cross-party support and the backing

of the RSA think tank.

It explains a basic income would be paid to everyone,

regardless of whether they work or not and so there is an extra

incentive for unemployed people to find a job as they wouldn't have

to worry about losing benefits as happens under the current system.

With a basic income, moving from a system where you weren't

working into one where you were, you won't face those penalties.

You retain your consistent payments throughout that period.

You are given security to be able to choose to work.

And also to actually to be able to choose work or training,

or to set up your own business.

This is not a workable scheme because it is far too expensive.

It creates a tremendous tax and disincentive for the average

person further up the income scale who is paying the taxes

to fund the whole thing.

Mark Drakeford has said he thinks this is an attractive idea.

Does that worry you?

Well it is quite worrying for Wales because it is very expensive.

If Wales does it on its own it is going to be very expensive.

Critics also claim a universal basic income could encourage laziness

and increase immigration.

The First Minister has criticised President Donald Trump's decision

to institute a 90-day travel ban for nationals from Iran,

Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

Carwyn Jones said the impact on "law-abiding citizens"

was beyond any "rational defence".

He also criticised the Prime Minister's response

to Mr Trump's executive order.

Mr Jones says he'll raise the matter with Theresa May when they meet

tomorrow for the Joint Ministerial Committee.

Police have renewed an appeal for information

about the death of a baby boy - exactly a year after his body

was found in Newport.

The newborn child was discovered on land near Imperial

Park in Coedkernew.

He'd been wrapped in a white towel from the city's

St Anne's Hospice, and put in a black leather-style bag.

Despite numerous appeals, Gwent Police have been unable

to identify the baby's mother.

A farewell service has been held at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff

to mark the retirement of the Archbishop of Wales.

Dr Barry Morgan has been the head of the Church in Wales

for nearly 14 years - the longest serving

in the Anglican Communion.

He'll retire on his 70th birthday on Tuesday.

Around 9,000 women a year in Wales are diagnosed with cancer.

The treatment can cause visible side effects,

like hair loss and changes to the skin.

Now workshops aimed at boosting the confidence of women

undergoing cancer treatment, are being offered in North Wales

for the first time.

For some cancer patients looking in the mirror isn't

as straightforward as it used to be.

Treatment can cause physical changes, such as scarring

and the loss of hair, eyebrows, eyelashes and even nails.

Now these skincare and make up workshops are being held

in North Wales for the first time, offering advice and support.

Pat Morris is recovering from an operation and eight rounds

of chemotherapy for ovarian cancer.

I've learned quite a bit tonight, just with the make up

and everything, you know.

Because you do tend to put things on and if they're not the right way,

they don't look right, do they?

But I'm going to learn what I can tonight.

The workshops are held away from a hospital setting

at the Beeches Hotel in Prestatyn every six weeks.

They are run by volunteers from the charity Look Good Feel

Better, in partnership with the local health board.

No matter what treatment they have, it makes them feel so much

better when they come to a session like this.

They're meeting other people who are going through the same

condition, and they make friends from it as well.

It just makes them feel more confident.

A cancer diagnosis and treatment can be overwhelming physically

and psychologically.

It is hoped by helping these women to look and feel better,

they'll face their treatment and their future

with more confidence.

A look at the weather forecast, and the rain will soon clear this

evening, leaving a cloudy and mild night for all.

There'll be mist, low cloud and fog over the hills.

Monday will be a cloudy and mild day.

It'll look grey and murky from the start, with hill fog.

Rain will gradually spread north and east, though it will be lighter

and patchier than today.

Top temperature 10 Celsius.

That's Wales Today.

I'll be back with our late update at around twenty past ten.

Enjoy your evening.

Goodbye.