Martin Lewis apologises on air after heated Winter Fuel Payment debate

Martin Lewis
-Credit: (Image: inyourArea)


TV's money saving expert Martin Lewis has apologised for using “slightly bad language” during an interview with the Culture Secretary about winter fuel payments. Lewis was grilling Lisa Nandy on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday when the word “bloody” accidentally slipped out, prompting him to excuse himself on and off air.

Following the broadcast, he shared a clip of the discussion to social media, writing: “Sorry if my frustration about the risk to the 780,000 poorest pensioners missing spilled over with slightly bad language.”

During the interview, he said: “The poorest pensioners, the poorest, under £11,400, you believe should get pension credit and winter fuel, but they’re not going to claim, they’re the hardest to reach."

READ MORE: People claiming these 6 DWP benefits must 'take action' or they could lose them

He continued: “You’re not writing individual letters to them. You’re not linking it to attendance allowance and housing benefit. There’s lots you could do. So to try and talk about ‘We’re targeting the poorest’. The truth is, you’re not targeting them. Why aren’t you writing them bloody letters?”

His co-presenter Susanna Reid apologised for his language on air after he made the comment, with Lewis quickly following suit. Nandy excused the comment, saying: “No it’s fine, I know how strongly you feel about it, Martin.”

The discussion comes amid a backlash after the Government announced it would scrap the universal winter fuel payment for pensioners, limiting the benefit to only the poorest.

Want more from MyLondon? Sign up to our daily newsletters for all the latest and greatest from across London here.