As countries across the world cope with the coronavirus pandemic, Spain has announced they will pay everyone a basic wage during the crisis.
The SNP is calling on the UK Government to do the same, by providing a "comprehensive financial package" which guarantees that everyone has a basic income.
It comes after an Edinburgh woman started a campaign to include self-employed people in statutory sick pay, as questions were raised over what business owners would do if they became sick.
The SNP has proposed that the Government "deliver a comprehensive financial package of support for the millions of freelancers, self-employed and unemployed people who are struggling to get by in this developing crisis."
This would include a guaranteed income that would provide everyone with a wage "using the tax and welfare system to put money directly in people’s pockets."
SNP politician Ian Blackford said: "A basic income scheme, amongst other things, would assist the self-employed, many who have seen their income collapse and have bills to pay. There is a sense of urgency that the Government has to respond to."
However, it doesn't look like the UK parliament is keen on the SNP proposal going forward any time soon.
A spokesman for Treasury told The Scotsman: “We are taking unprecedented action at unprecedented speed to support businesses, jobs and our economy, including an initial £330bn of guarantees.
“We’ve made significant changes to the operation of statutory sick pay, universal credit, and employment and support allowance to ensure that people have quicker and more generous access to a support system. And we’ve taken further immediate steps to give businesses access to cash to pay their rent, salaries or suppliers.
