Basic income by 2025 pledged by Greens

The Green Party has pledged to introduce a universal basic income by 2025, which would see every adult receiving a minimum of £89 per week.

Speaking to the BBC, the party's co-leader Sian Berry said the proposal would cost an additional £76 billion which would be funded through taxation. Additional payments would go to those facing barriers to work, including disabled people and single parents.

The income would replace universal credit - the benefit for working-age people which covers six benefits including housing benefit and child tax credits. All benefits except housing benefit and carer's allowance would be incorporated into the new payments, which would be phased in over five years.

Under its plan, the Green’s argues that someone working full time on the the minimum wage would see their income rise by 32 per cent.

Berry said: "Only the Green Party has the policies and ambition to eliminate the cruelty of the benefits system and tackle poverty head-on. Financial security is the key to a good society... people receiving a universal income will have more choices, and more people will be able to cut working hours to retrain, start new green businesses, take part in community action or simply improve their well-being."

The Green Party has announced that it is standing 500 parliamentary candidates in the December General Election. The party has previously said that it will appoint a ‘carbon chancellor’ to allocate the £100 billion per year they have pledged for tackling the climate emergency.