Rishi Sunak was blasted for "doing a runner" during an interview on today's Good Morning Britain.
Thursday's edition of the ITV news programme was hosted by Ben Shephard and Ranvir Singh. The two interviewed the Chancellor on his Spring Statement. Yesterday Mr Sunak unveiled his plans to help households as the UK faces a cost-of-living crisis with millions of families around the country being pushed towards poverty due to soaring energy bills, fuel prices and record inflation.
The Chancellor announced fuel duty would be cut by 5p per litre and raised the National Insurance threshold, but the measures have been widely criticised. The statement failed to mention Universal Credit claimants and the measures aimed at tackling surging energy bills for households were restricted to a VAT cut for the purchasing of heat pumps, solar panels and insulation.
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Ranvir blasted the Chancellor for "playing politics" with lives before she showed a clip from the Director of Institute for the Fiscal Studies, Paul Johnson, who said people "haven't been protected" by the plans. However, the Chancellor launched a defence of the support offered.
He said: "We have delivered a very significant tax plan which will put billions of pounds back into the pockets of hard-working British families."
The interview ended on an awkward note as Mr Sunak attempted to cut the segment short. Ben wanted to ask one final question about what the Prime Minister hopes to achieve from today's meeting with NATO as Boris Johnson arrived at the summit in Brussels, but the Chancellor dismissed the broadcaster. He said: "Thank you very much indeed for having me. Thank you so much, bye bye."
Ben continued to probe and Mr Sunak said world leaders will gather at the summit today to show a united front. He said: "I think world leaders will be talking about what we can do today to ensure that we can support Ukraine in the way that we have both militarily but also with humanitarian aid. And then also by making sure that we are united in putting very strong sanctions on Russia that will have a severe economic cost to them."
Viewers following the show on Twitter blasted the Chancellor throughout the interview and said the segment was "horrible to watch".
Steve said: "Doing a runner."
Scully added: "Saying bye-bye, doing a runner......?"
Luke commented : "Very tetchy and prickly interview with @RishiSunak on #GMB this morning."
Karen posted: "Car crash interview with Rishi Sunak on #GMB as he tries to end it several times."
Cal tweeted: "Rishi has done himself no favours there! That was just horrible to watch"
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV and ITV Hub
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