and Matthew Pennycook became embroiled in a tense row as the Labour politician was grilled on the expected cuts to disability benefits. The housing minister joined Balls and on Tuesday’s (March 11) instalment of after the government announced its promise to “unleash seismic reforms” to the planning system.
However, the conversation took an abrupt turn as the Labour MP was forced to address reports that have indicated ministers are looking to shave £5 billion from a disability benefit claimed by 3.6 million people. Reid said: “We’re inundated with people on PIP, on disability payments, who are frankly terrified about the fact you’re about to take their money away.” The politician said he “appreciates the anxiety” of those who rely on benefits but explained he was not in a position to set out those changes.
…
Ed Balls clashed with Matthew Pennycook over the expected cuts to disability benefits (Image: ITV)
Reading out a message from a viewer, Balls shared how a woman named Vicky is terrified about her partner losing his PIP benefit as he is battling terminal cancer.
He asked: “What Labour principle could possibly justify taking money away from somebody who has an extreme disability and can’t work?”
The Labour MP said he was more than happy to explain the principles behind the decision, before Balls immediately interjected. “I’m talking about someone who can’t work with an extreme disability. If they lose it, what principle could justify that?” he said.
Pennycook claimed the principles behind the changes will be “those who need support will receive support” before insisting the government needs to restore trust and confidence into the system.
But this didn’t sit well with the presenter as he asked once again: “What principle could justify the freezing or cutting of benefits to somebody who cannot work?”
Don’t miss…
Balls shut down the politician with a damning seven words (Image: ITV)
Pennycook responded: “There will be people in the system who can never work but there are a significant number of people who can and want to work and are not being provided with the support to do that.”
The former politician shut him down, saying: “I understand that and that’s really good,” before asking the same question once again. The pair began overlapping each other as Balls referred back to Vicky, declaring: “It’s a Labour government and you can’t tell us whether they will have a cut in their benefit.”
Pennycook hit back: “I don’t know how much clearer I can be. You’ll know from your time as a minister yourself that I cannot come onto this programme and pre-empt a government announcement that will be made in the usual way in due course.
“I’m here to announce a significant overhaul of a planning system for a landmark piece of legislation we are introducing in the House of Commons today.”
In one final dig at the politician, Balls quipped: “And I think on that latter point, you’ve done that so thank you for coming on and talking to us today.”