Sally Nugent and Ben Thompson were back to present Tuesday’s BBC Breakfast.

BBC Breakfast viewers issued the same complaint following Ben Thompson’s interview with Rachel Reeves on Tuesday.

The MP spoke to the hosts about her decision to end winter fuel payments to millions of pensioners not on pension credit or other means-tested benefits.

However, just minutes into the segment, fans took to X to share their complaints, with one branding the segment as “disappointing”.

“Ben not coming across well this morning. #BBCBreakfast,” one fan complained while another pointed out: “Very disingenuous tactic from Ben on #BBCBreakfast this morning. Disappointing.”

“Wow! He really grilled her in that interview not! Same old Labour luvvie #BBC,” a third added while someone else fumed: “That interview was a disgrace, should be ashamed of yourselves, biased baiting yet again.” (sic)

However, not everyone shared the same opinion as one praised: “#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.” (sic)

The Chancellor told Ben: “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 confronted by a £22billion black hole, I had to act and I preserved winter fuel payments for pensioners on pension credit, so a single pensioner on an income just below £12,000 will continue to receive the winter fuel payment.”

She went on to explain a couple on an income of under £18,000 will also continue to receive the credit.

“It is important to preserve those payments for pensioners who need it most,” the MP said before adding: “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.

“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.”
Ben Thompson and Sally Nugent returned once again to host BBC Breakfast on Tuesday morning. This time, they delved into a controversial topic with MP Rachel Reeves regarding the decision to end winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners not on pension credit or other means-tested benefits.

Shortly after the segment began, viewers took to social media to voice their complaints. One viewer expressed disappointment in Ben’s interviewing style, while another called out what they felt was a disingenuous tactic. Others criticized the interview as biased and baiting, prompting frustration among some audience members.

Despite the mixed reactions, there were those who praised Ben for his line of questioning. One viewer commended him for getting to the heart of the matter and advocating for those in need.

During the interview, Reeves explained the rationale behind the decision, citing a significant budget shortfall. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing payments for pensioners most in need, reassuring that those on pension credit or with lower incomes would still receive support.

She acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but maintained that it was necessary given the financial constraints inherited by the new government. Reeves also highlighted plans to work with the Department for Work and Pensions to increase support for those entitled to pension credit and winter fuel payments.

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