HEATING UP
Good Morning Britain’s Martin Lewis sparks row with pregnant mum on brink of tears over energy bills
MARTIN Lewis clashed with a worried mum today over the cost of living crisis as the pair argued over the price of heating a jacket potato.
The Money Saving Expert appeared on Good Morning Britain to discuss how people can save on their energy bills, after a publicity campaign urging Brits to cut down on their energy was blocked.
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Author and journalist Ella Whelan argued the new information scheme, which included a £15million ad blitz, amounted to telling Brits how to "live a miserable existence".
However, Martin replied: "Hold on, to poopoo every single idea, you are actually encouraging people to have a more miserable existence ...
"Let me ask you a question Ella. What's the price of cooking a potato in the microwave or the oven? What is it? Because, information? Which is cheaper?"
Ella admitted, "I don't know" as Martin continued to ask her.
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She then revealed: "If I can make a point Martin, I've got a baby on the way, arriving tomorrow, and I'm just talking about people's priorities."
Holding back tears, Ella's voice broke as she said: "My priority is going to be can I keep that kid warm in the drafty house that I live in? Can I give that baby a bath every night that it needs to have. What are my priorities? I'll freeze my backside off to keep that baby warm."
"I'm not poo-pooing stuff, it's that people have to have a certain standard of living and have a future in which that standard of living is going to get better. I think everyone in government has let go of that aspiration."
Martin replied: "I wish you the best for the baby, and hope you can keep warm. I appreciate the stance."
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He also confirmed that cooking the potato in the microwave was cheaper.
He said: "You're talking one jacket potato in the microwave, is 6p."
Households will have started to receive a £400 energy bill discount from October 1.
In November, a £300 one-off "Pensioner Cost of Living Payment" will be paid out to eight million households.
It will be given to those who already get the winter fuel payment - which is worth between £100 and £300 for those over state pension age.
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And from November 8, vulnerable households across the UK will receive a £324 cost of living cash boost.
The government says it aims to make all payments by November 23.
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