Martin Lewis issues apology after using 'bad language' on GMB

Mr Lewis said his "frustration spilled over"

Martin Lewis has apologised after he used some "bad language" on Good Morning Britain. The Money Saving Expert founder appeared on the ITV daytime show alongside Susanna Reid, with the pair joined by Labour minister Lisa Nandy.

Mr Lewis said told Ms Nandy she should "accept the truth" over the hundreds of pensioners who should be getting the winter fuel payment and will not. He is calling on the government to send letters to people who are in retirement and should be receiving Pension Credit, but don't.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has cut the winter fuel allowance which is worth £2-300 to only those who claim certain benefits, of which Pension Credit is one. Mr Lewis said the government is not doing enough to get them to claim it, and as he became more passionate in his plea, he told Ms Nandy to just "send them a bloody letter".

The interaction came about as Ms Nandy said: “There’s a particular group that we’re concerned with, that group just above the threshold who don’t qualify but who are at the lowest end of the state pension, and we’re making sure that for those people that we’ve extended the Household Support Fund so for councils like mine in Wigan do have something to reach for if people are struggling but don’t qualify."

However, Mr Lewis responded: “There is a huge flaw in what you’ve just said Lisa and the fact is before we even get on those above the threshold let’s talk about those below the threshold. Those people who are eligible for Pensions Credit 780,000 of them who you believe should get the winter fuel payment of up to £300 who are already missing last year’s cost of living payment.

“Now I’ve been shouting about this longer and louder than anybody else. Yes there’s an increase of 115 per cent but that’s 20,000 a month - it will take you four years before all these people claim Pensions Credit - the poorest pensioners - the poorest under £11,400 you believe they should get pensions credit and winter fuel but they’re not going to claim, they’re the hardest to reach, you’re not writing individual letters to them, you’re not linking it to Attendance Allowance and Housing Benefit, there’s lots you could do.

“To try to talk about ‘we’re targeting the poorest’ the truth is you’re not targeting them - why aren’t you writing them bloody letters?”

After his appearance on the show, Mr Lewis took to X, formerly Twitter, as he shared a clip of the heated discussion and apologised. He said: "The FULL Winter Fuel Payment interview with Lisa Nandy. Sorry if my frustration about the risk to the 780,000 poorest pensioners missing spilled over with slightly bad language."