Boris Johnson said a temporary universal basic income was one of several measures under consideration to help workers left in dire financial situations by the coronavirus crisis.

Universal basic income involves regular fixed payments by the state to everyone in a country with no strings attached, irrespective of their income.

The idea remains controversial among economists and relatively untested outside of pilot programmes in countries such as Finland.

Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, announced another £350bn in government spending and loan guarantees on Tuesday, focused on keeping businesses afloat through the turmoil.

But the Government is facing growing questions about what it will do to help the self-employed, including gig economy workers, and people laid off as a result of the growing economic crisis.