Ian Blackford has called for an emergency universal income scheme to help protect people during the coronavirus crisis.
Addressing Boris Johnson at Prime Minister's Questions today, Blackford urged him to discuss what measures can be put in place to "protect the incomes of all our people".
SNP Westminster Leader @Ianblackford_MP calls on the UK government to introduce an emergency Universal Basic Income as part of a wide-ranging financial package for people.
— Tom French (@tomfrench85) March 18, 2020
"This is an unprecedented emergency - and it requires an unprecedented response" #Coronavirus #PMQs pic.twitter.com/HgMng3MHU1
Blackford 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.
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"Prime Minister, 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, the ordinary people were not."
He told the Prime minister: "You have it within your power to protect people's incomes and provide them with peace of mind. At this time an emergency universal income scheme would do just that.
"Will the Prime Minister, at the very least, commit to all of us who support this proposal and discuss how we can protect the incomes of all of our people."
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