KIRKCALDY and Cowdenbeath MP, Neale Hanvey, has thrown his support behind a Universal Basic Income.

Under the scheme, everyone in Scotland, and across the rest of the UK, would receive a monthly payment from the Government, and this would replace several existing benefits.

In a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, Mr Hanvey and 110 other MPs and Peers have argued that Universal Basic Income is key to our recovery from coronavirus.

They also highlight that 84 per cent of people across the nations of the UK now support its introduction.

Mr Hanvey’s support comes as a survey commissioned by Citizens Advice Scotland found that 40 per cent of people are concerned about their income during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Local MP Neale Hanvey said: “To be blunt, the existing welfare system is not equipped to cope with the impact of coronavirus.

“My office has seen a 350 per cent increase in weekly cases since lockdown.

“Many of these cases are people who are confused by the complicated social security system, or who fall through the gaps in the various schemes introduced to support people through this crisis.

“This includes people claiming asylum who have no recourse to public funds. Some of our most vulnerable people, left with nothing".

Mr Hanvey added: “Universal Basic Income is an idea whose time has come.

"It will help us address the insecurities people are facing, the rampant inequalities in our society, and the high levels of unemployment.

“And it can improve the health of the nation, delivering real savings in health and social care.

“It must be a key part of our approach to rebuilding our communities, economy and society.”