A UNIVERSAL basic income is among the measures under consideration by the UK Government to alleviate pressures on citizens who face running out of money amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Prime Minister indicated the policy was being considered after he was pressed on it by the SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford and others in the Commons today.

Blackford pushed Johnson to introduce an “emergency universal income” scheme.

He said: “Thousands of people are already losing their jobs, it’s happening today. Millions will face the same threat. They need reassurance and support, and they need it today. They need an income guarantee.

WATCH: Ian Blackford calls for emergency universal income

“We must not repeat history. People are worried about their bills, they are worried about keeping a roof over their head.

“In the last financial crisis the banks were bailed out but ordinary people were not. Prime Minister you have it within your power to protect people’s incomes and provide them with peace of mind.”

Johnson agreed to hold talks with supporters of the universal income scheme, adding: “I agree profoundly with what he said about not repeating history.

“It is very important that as we ask the public to do the right thing for themselves and everybody else that no-one – whatever their income – should be penalised for doing the right thing, and we will make sure that that is the case.”

The issue was later also raised by Kevin Brennan, Labour MP for Cardiff West, who said the crisis needed to be dealt with by more than three word slogans.

He added: “We need to get money into the pockets of the workers….Has he seen the EDM, which I propose, about bringing in a temporary universal basic income to support workers?”

Johnson replied: “I hear the honourable gentleman loud and clear and he’s echoing a point that was already made by the leader of the SNP. Of course it is one of the ideas that is certainly being considered.”