BBC Breakfast viewers were quick to voice their disapproval following Ben Thompson's interview with Labour MP Rachel Reeves on Tuesday. The interview focused on Reeves's plans to end winter fuel payments for pensioners who do not receive Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits.
Within minutes of the segment beginning, viewers took to social media to express their dissatisfaction, with many describing the interview as "disingenuous" and "biased". One viewer commented, "Ben not coming across well this morning. #BBCBreakfast", while another noted, "Very disingenuous tactic from Ben on #BBCBreakfast this morning. Disappointing."
A third viewer wrote, "Wow! He really grilled her in that interview not! Same old Labour luvvie #BBC", and another added, "That interview was a disgrace, should be ashamed of yourselves, biased baiting yet again."
However, not all viewers shared the same opinion. One praised Thompson's approach, saying, "#BBCBreakfast Ben hit the nail on the head.. strike and get what you want.. everyone in factories working their butts off on minimum wage get on strike."
Reeves defended the government's decision to cease winter fuel payments for certain pensioners, arguing that it was a necessary measure in light of a £22 billion shortfall. She stated, "The decisions I made on the winter fuel payment yesterday are decisions I didn't want to make, they were decisions I did not expect to make. But when faced with a £22billion shortfall, actions were imperative, and I ensured the preservation of winter fuel payments for those on pension credit, meaning a single pensioner with an income just shy of £12,000 will continue to receive the winter fuel payment."
She further elaborated on the policy, explaining that couples earning less than £18,000 would also be eligible for Pension Credit. Reeves stressed, "It is important to preserve those payments for pensioners who need it most, and in addition to that, I'll be working with the Department for Work and Pensions to ensure we increase the pension credit so that everybody who is entitled to it and winter fuel payments gets that support."
Reflecting on the recent decisions, she concluded, "It was a difficult decision yesterday but in the circumstances that I faced, the circumstances that I inherited, it was the right decision alongside other difficult decisions that this new Government was forced to make."
